A rare coexistence of adrenal cavernous hemangioma with extramedullar hemopoietic tissue: a case report and brief review of the literature

• Main Authors: Dafnios Nikolaos, Theodosopoulos Theodosios, Stafyla Vaia K, Yiallourou Anneza I, Kyriazi Maria, Arkadopoulos Nikolaos, Smyrniotis Vassilis, Kondi-Pafiti Agathi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-02-01
• Series: World Journal of Surgical Oncology
• Online Access: http://www.wjso.com/content/7/1/13

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cavernous hemangiomas of the adrenal gland are rare, benign, non-functioning neoplastic tumors. To our knowledge, 55 cases have been reported in the literature to date.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the first case of a large, non-functioning adrenal cavernous hemangioma that was incidentally found during the preoperative staging workup of a 75 year old woman with left breast adenocarcinoma. Imaging with US, CT scan and MRI showed a heterogeneous 8 cm mass with non-specific radiological features that was located on the left adrenal gland. The mass was surgically excised and pathology revealed an adrenal hemangioma with areas of extramedullar hemopoiesis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although adrenal hemangiomas are rare and their preoperative diagnosis is difficult, they should always be included in the differential diagnosis of adrenal neoplasms.</p>