Adrenal lipomatous tumours: a 30 year clinico-pathological experience at asingle institution

Aim-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 a nalyse 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 revi ewed and the clinicopathological features of adrenal lipomatous tumours wer e 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 reporte d. The adrenal fatty tumours comprised 11 myelolipomas, three lipomas, thre e teratomas, two angiomyolipomas, and one liposarcoma. Calcification or bon e was noted in one third (seven of 20) of the adrenal tumours. In some fatt y tumours (myelolipoma and angiomyolipoma), the fatty component may be inco nspicuous. This is the first report in the English literature of angiomyoli poma and liposarcoma of the adrenal gland. Conclusions-Different types of fatty tumours were noted in the adrenal glan d. A high index of suspicion should be maintained with an aim of surgical t reatment for selected patients with large and symptomatic adrenal lipomatou s lesions. Histological confirmation is needed for diagnosis.