title: Extraosseous (extramedullary) plasmacytoma of the adrenal gland.
abstract: Plasmacytomas are clonal proliferations of atypical plasma cells that manifest a localized osseous or extraosseous growth pattern. Although many represent solitary lesions of bone, fewer arise in extraosseous (extramedullary) tissues. We report a case of a primary extraosseous plasmacytoma of the adrenal gland. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast revealed a 3.5-cm, right adrenal mass with heterogeneous enhancement. Although the mass was small and nonfunctioning, concern for malignancy based on MRI findings prompted laparoscopic resection. Histologic and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a plasmacytoma. This is the third reported case, to our knowledge, of a primary plasmacytoma of the adrenal gland. The present case is unique in that a contrast MRI was performed, which showed heterogeneous enhancement of the mass, providing further evidence beyond heterogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted images for a possible malignant process. Another unique feature is that a biopsy specimen of the lesion was taken, although it was nondiagnostic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md 21287, USA. crogers6@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Craig G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Weir
mesh_terms: D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D053667:Syndecans
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D053667:Syndecans