Bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with thalassemia: A case report and literature review

Myelolipomas are rare benign tumors composed of mature fat and bone marrow elements, typically found in the adrenal gland, but have been reported in extra-adrenal locations. Adrenal myelolipoma seldom produces symptoms unless it attains considerable size or hemorrhage into itself. The origin of adrenal myelolipoma remains obscure, various theories have been proposed. Here, we present a case of giant bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with thalassemia. In this case, hematopoietic stimulus of chronic anemia might have been associated with the development of adrenal myelolipoma. In patients with incidental finding of adrenal myelolipoma, underling red cell disorders causing extramedullary hematopoiesis should be excluded.