Laparoscopic Management of an Adrenal Leiomyoma in an AIDS Patient. A Case Report and Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVES Laparoscopic management of adrenal masses has been well described. Immunologically compromised patients can obtain significant benefit from these minimally invasive procedures. We describe a case of an enlarging smooth muscle tumor of the adrenal gland in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient and review the sparse literature available on this subject. CASE REPORT A 49-year-old female with AIDS complaining of vague abdominal discomfort was found to have a left adrenal mass. Significant enlargement of the mass was noted during routine follow-up. The patient underwent an elective laparoscopic left adrenalectomy without complications. Pathological review found the mass to be a rare adrenal leiomyoma. DISCUSSION Benign, smooth muscle tumors arising from the adrenal glands are rare. A review of the literature does reveal a propensity for these tumors to occur in the immunocompromised population. CONCLUSION The ability to manage these tumors laparoscopically is of significant benefit to patients.