Macroscopic Appearance of Giant Adrenal Myelolipoma During Laparoscopy: An Adjunct in Differential Diagnosis

Giant adrenal myelolipoma is a rare, benign, sizable, mesenchymal tumor. Preoperative differential diagnosis from retroperitoneal liposarcoma may be challenging. A 66-year-old female patient was admitted because of a sizable tumor at the right retroperitoneal space, incidentally discovered during abdominal ultrasonography for screening purpose. Preoperative imaging studies were indicative for the diagnosis of a giant adrenal myelolipoma (11.7 × 12.9 cm in size); however, a retroperitoneal liposarcoma could not be excluded. We decided to proceed with tumor’s surgical removal by using laparoscopic transperitoneal approach and three-dimensional high-definition camera. Intraoperatively, the tumor did not infiltrate surrounding tissues and was surrounded by a thin capsule under which there were sparse, orange-colored spots that resembled adrenal cortex. This finding reinforced the initial and most possible diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma and we easily enucleated the mass. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient demonstrated no recurrence on imaging six months postoperatively. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of giant adrenal myelolipoma, measuring 16.5 x 15 x 6.5 cm.