Laparoscopic Management of an Adrenal Leiomyoma in an AIDS Patient. A Case Report and Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic management of adrenal masses has been well described. Immunologically compromised patients can obtain significant benefit from these minimally invasive procedures. We describe a case of an enlarging smooth muscle tumor of the adrenal gland in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient and review the sparse literature available on this subject. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old female with AIDS complaining of vague abdominal discomfort was found to have a left adrenal mass. Significant enlargement of the mass was noted during routine follow-up. The patient underwent an elective laparoscopic left adrenalectomy without complications. Pathological review found the mass to be a rare adrenal leiomyoma. DISCUSSION: Benign, smooth muscle tumors arising from the adrenal glands are rare. A review of the literature does reveal a propensity for these tumors to occur in the immunocompromised population. CONCLUSION: The ability to manage these tumors laparoscopically is of significant benefit to patients.