Adrenal Myelolipoma Diagnosed in a 72-Year-Old Patient with Abdominal Pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor formed by hematopoietic tissue and mature adipose tissue. Usually is insidious and found occasionally on image exams, therefore is also called incidentaloma. Image studies and anatomopathological exam are important to define the diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma. This study’s objective was to report the case of this rare adrenal tumor and its main diagnostic means.
 CASE: It was report case about a 72-year-old patient, whose initial symptom was diffuse abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diagnosed with adrenal myelolipoma after image studies even in the absence of laboratory abnormalities, and submitted at a private hospital at Belém-PA. 
 CONCLUSIONS: The adrenal myelolipoma, due its usual asymptomatic characteristics or its no-specifics symptoms, requires a meticulous analysis concerning both diagnosis and treatment. Thus, our case report corroborates the importance of the image studies in front of an obscure and difficult diagnosis, especially the computed tomography, and anatomopathological evaluation, since they are essential to the best decision making and consequently a better prognosis of the patient.