Adrenal Myelolipomas: An Interesting Case Series Treated by Laparoscopic Resection in Mexico

Abstract

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland is a rare, benign, non-functioning tumor characterized by the presence of adipose tissue and bone marrow elements. We present a series of cases of myelolipoma of the adrenal gland, all of which were surgically resected laparoscopically. Six cases (72-year-old female patient, 63-year-old male patient, 57-year-old female patient, 61-year-old female patient, 72-year-old female patient, and 56-year-old female patient) of clinically and radiologically suspected cases of symptomatic adrenal myelolipoma are discussed here. All cases described presented with flank pain radiating, which was suspected as an adrenal mass by computed tomography (CT) evaluation. All six cases were histopathologically confirmed as adrenal myelolipoma and managed by laparoscopic surgical excision. The uniqueness of the cases lies in their early detection and the current management with a laparoscopic approach regardless of size, as most cases of large myelolipomas surgically resected reported in the literature are through an open approach. This study shows that the laparoscopic approach is safe for all sizes, with less blood loss and shorter hospital stays.