Objective: Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor, well limited, variable in size, composed of fatty and hematopoietic tissues, the finding of which is usually incidental. If they reach a big size they may produce the feeling of abdominal mass, pain, neighbour organs compression and acute intratumoral or retroperitoneal hemorrhage.
Methods: We report the case of a 57-year-old male admitted to the hospital with acute abdominal pain. CT scan with i.v. contrast and adrenal biopsy were performed.
Results: Radiological findings: 9 x 10 cm right adrenal mass, well defined, hypodense, with a small calcification in its posterior area. Pathologic findings: benign tumor, encapsulated, with a mixture of mature fatty tissue and hematopoietic cells.
Conclusions: The presence of fat within an adrenal mass is essential for the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis should be done with all adrenal tumors with a fat component. When no radiological diagnosis is made, pathologic confirmation is necessary.