Laparoscopic hand-assisted adrenal sparing surgery for a giant adrenal myelolipoma: A case report

Case report: Adrenal myelolipoma resected by laparoscopic surgery

Introduction

Adrenal myelolipomas are benign tumors composed mainly of lipomatous elements with myeloid cells. With the development of medical imaging technology, the detection rate has gradually increased. We report a case of adrenal myelolipoma successfully excised through the laparoscope and reviewed existing literature in recent ten years to summarize the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for this tumor.

Case presentation

Herein, we described a case of adrenal myelolipoma resected by laparoscope in a 63-year-old male patient. He did not have any other symptoms except the incidental finding of a left adrenal mass. An abdominal CT examination revealed a mixed-density lesion containing some amount of adipose tissue. In conjunction with the patient's willingness, we performed a laparoscopic operation to remove the lump. The definite diagnosis was confirmed as an adrenal myelolipoma according to the pathology. The patient recovered well postoperatively and without signs of recurrence at a 5-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Adrenal myelolipoma is commonly benign, asymptomatic, and hormonal inactivity. A surgical strategy is suggested for high-complication-risk patients. The laparoscopic approach is safe and effective with an obvious advantage over open procedures.

Adrenal myelolipoma with hyperandrogenemia and schizophrenia

Adrenal myelolipoma with hyperandrogenemia is extremely rare. We report a case of a 26-year-old Chinese female with schizophrenia, who presented with a hormonally active tumor causing hyperandrogenemia. The mass was found by computerized tomography when she had her gynecologic examination for secondary amenorrhea, and it was confirmed to be an adrenal myelolipoma after a histopathological study. She was referred for a left adrenal laparoscopic excision, and the size of adrenal myelolipoma was found to be more than 10 cm. We report this case because large adrenal myelolipomas with hyperandrogenemia and schizophrenia are rare, and adrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia might be determined by the enzymes involved in the production of hormones.