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. 2001 Sep;54(9):707–712. doi: 10.1136/jcp.54.9.707

Adrenal lipomatous tumours: a 30 year clinicopathological experience at a single institution

K Lam, C Lo
PMCID: PMC1731508  PMID: 11533079

Abstract

Aims—Fatty tumours of the adrenal gland are uncommon and their features have received little attention in the literature. The aim of this study is to analyse the features of adrenal lipomatous tumours.

Methods—The histological features of primary adrenal tumours reported over a 30 year period (1970 to 1999) in Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong were reviewed and the clinicopathological features of adrenal lipomatous tumours were analysed.

Results—Adrenal lipomatous tumours were noted in 20 patients (12 men, eight women), and they accounted for 4.8% of the primary adrenal tumours reported. The adrenal fatty tumours comprised 11 myelolipomas, three lipomas, three teratomas, two angiomyolipomas, and one liposarcoma. Calcification or bone was noted in one third (seven of 20) of the adrenal tumours. In some fatty tumours (myelolipoma and angiomyolipoma), the fatty component may be inconspicuous. This is the first report in the English literature of angiomyolipoma and liposarcoma of the adrenal gland.

Conclusions—Different types of fatty tumours were noted in the adrenal gland. A high index of suspicion should be maintained with an aim of surgical treatment for selected patients with large and symptomatic adrenal lipomatous lesions. Histological confirmation is needed for diagnosis.

Key Words: myelolipoma • lipoma • angiomyolipoma • liposarcoma • adrenal

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Figure 1 A dumb bell shaped myelolipoma (case 1).

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Figure 2 An adrenal lipoma (case 14) with dystrophic calcification noted (arrows). Haematoxylin and eosin stained; original magnification, x165.

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Figure 3 (A) Computerised tomography scan of an adrenal angiomyolipoma (case 18) showing an adrenal mass of heterogenous contrast enhancement. (B) Photomicrograph of the same adrenal angiomyolipoma showing the predominant epitheloid cells component. Haematoxylin and eosin stained; original magnification, x200.

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Figure 4 (A) Magnetic resonance imaging showing a cystic right adrenal liposarcoma (case 20). (B) Photomicrograph of the same adrenal liposarcoma showing the presence of lipoblasts. Haematoxylin and eosin stained; original magnification, x500.

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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