[Adrenal hemangioma: unusual cause of retroperitoneal hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVES

Adrenal hemangiomas are rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. A case of retroperitoneal hemorrhage arising from adrenal hemangioma is described. This uncommon clinical manifestation prompted us to report on the present case and briefly review the scant literature on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

METHODS

The case described herein is that of a male patient who presented with hematoma in scrotum and penis that had appeared progressively with no previous trauma. The diagnosis was made by abdominal US and CT, which showed a retroperitoneal mass that appeared to be solid. An enlarged adrenal gland with tumoral "blush" was shown on selective vascular evaluation.

RESULTS

En bloc excision of the adrenal gland, left kidney and spleen was performed. The histological analysis revealed adrenal hemangioma.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal hemangioma is a rare tumor type with no clinical or biological symptoms of a functioning tumor that is generally diagnosed with difficulty preoperatively. The differential diagnosis must be made to distinguish adenoma, carcinoma, nonfunctioning adrenal pheochromocytoma and spontaneous hemorrhage.