Extra-adrenal paravertebral myelolipoma mimicking a thoracic schwannoma

BMJ Case Rep. 2009:2009:bcr07.2008.0561. doi: 10.1136/bcr.07.2008.0561. Epub 2009 Mar 5.

Abstract

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland is composed of both adipose tissue and normal haematopoietic elements. Extra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare. We present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with adenoma of the adrenal gland and an additional paravertebral lesion in the thoracic spine. Previous computed tomography of the lesion covering the nerve roots in the right T8-T9 foramina was compatible with a schwannoma. Post-mortem histopathology showed the incidental finding of a paravertebral myelolipoma.