Adrenal extramedullary haemopoiesis: diagnosis by a non-invasive method

Bilateral adrenal masses were discovered incidentally in a patient with beta-thalassaemia intermedia. Endocrine investigations showed that the adrenal lesion was hormonally inactive. Extramedullary haemopoiesis involving the adrenal glands was suggested by the presence of reticuloendothelial tissue as demonstrated by bone marrow scintigraphy using Technetium Tc-99m nanocolloid. This report illustrates the use of non-invasive functional imaging techniques in the management of adrenal 'incidentalomas', which in this case turned out to be a rare presentation of extramedullary haemopoiesis.