Giant adrenal myelolipoma: when trauma and oncology collide

BMJ Case Rep. 2014 May 28:2014:bcr2014204023. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-204023.

Abstract

Three patients presented some decades after severe traumatic injury with atypical bowel symptoms which were caused by a giant myelolipoma of the adrenal gland. The aetiology of this rare, benign and generally asymptomatic tumour is virtually unknown at present and several hypotheses have been devised. This report describes a possible association between high-energy trauma and the development of giant myelolipomas, further contributing to the hypothesis that severe systemic stress could be an aetiological factor in the development of an adrenal myelolipoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Trauma / complications*
  • Myelolipoma / diagnosis
  • Myelolipoma / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography