displaying php variable name from sql result [duplicate]

I'm trying to pass a php variable name to mysql and then retrieve the variable name back where it displays the appropriate value.

UPDATE: APOLOGIES: As each page will have a different VARIABLEVALUE as called by MySql. ::UPDATE ENDED::

Currently I'm using mysqli, with varchar, but should I be using text? or is this irrelevant.

Data stored in contentData on mysql is as such:

$variableName = VARIABLEVALUE;

So SQL dataRow is:

Some data and information $variableName some data and information

php code i am trying to use to retieve the text and variable is:

$variable = $row_mysqlresult['contentData'];

I'm calling the data as above, but also re-indexing to:

$variable = '. $variable .';
echo = $variable ;

This now displays

Some data and information $variableName some data and information

Instead of

Some data and information VARIABLEVALUE some data and information

I think I've just overcomplicated what I'm trying to do...

Any help, much appreciated :))