Myelolipoma Associated With Adrenal Ganglioneuroma

Abstract

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare, benign mesenchymal tumors composed of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic cells in varying proportions. Although the majority of cases occur as isolated adrenal lesions, myelolipomas have been described in association with various adrenal pathologic conditions. These conditions include enzyme deficiencies and hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the adrenal cortex, with perhaps endocrine dysfunction as a common feature. Ganglioneuroma is a benign tumor of the sympathetic nervous system that rarely produces symptoms of endocrine dysfunction. We report an unusual case of myelolipoma associated with ganglioneuroma of the adrenal medulla. The histogenesis of myelolipoma remains speculative. However, the close proximity to adrenal cortical cells within the stroma of ganglioneuroma suggests that the hormonal microenvironment may have played a role in the development of the myelolipoma.