Adrenal myelolipoma treated by laparoscopic adrenalectomy: A report of two cases

We herein report 2 cases of adrenal myelolipoma which were treated with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. In Case 1, a 46-year-old woman presented with right flank pain. A right adrenal mass was detected by abdominal ultrasonography. In Case 2, a 56-year-old woman presented with a cough. A right adrenal mass was incidentally detected by chest CT. In both cases, endocrine study of the adrenal cortex and medulla demonstrated normal results. According to ultrasonography, CT and MRI, each of the adrenal masses seemed most likely to be an adrenal myelolipoma. Adrenalectomy was performed by laparoscopic procedure. The tumor size was 6.5 × 6.0 × 6.0 cm and 4.5 × 3.5 × 3.0 cm in Cases 1 and 2, respectively. Histology showed a complex of hematopoietic and adipose tissues, corresponding to adrenal myelolipoma. In each case, the courses has been uneventful both during and after surgery. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is recommended for the treatment of myelolipoma since earlier postoperative recovery can be expected compared with open surgery.