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Jang, Kim, Eom, and Lee: Two Case of Primary Aldosteronism Induced by Aldosterone Producing Adrenal Adenoma in a Family
Case Report
Endocrinology and Metabolism

Endocrinology and Metabolism 2012; 27(4): 329-333.

Published online: 20 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2012.27.4.329

Two Case of Primary Aldosteronism Induced by Aldosterone Producing Adrenal Adenoma in a Family

Young Rock Jang, Sei Hyun Kim, Young Sil Eom, Ki Young Lee

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.

Corresponding author: Ki Young Lee. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, 21 Namdong-daero 774beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon 405-760, Korea. Tel: +82-32-460-3204, Fax: +82-32-469-4320, kylee@gilhospital.com

Received 25 April 2012       Accepted 19 June 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Endocrine Society

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism, is defined as a group of disorders characterized by the excess of aldosteron, with suppressed rennin activity, resulting in hypertension and hypokalemia. In most cases, primary aldosteronism is sporadic due to a unilateral adrenal adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Familial hyperaldosteronism is a rare cause of primary aldosteronism and its prevalence has not been established well. We describe two cases of primary aldosteronism in a family involving a sister and brother due to an aldosterone producing adenoma in the left adrenal gland. Their hypokalemia and hypertension were cured by complete resection of the adrenal adenoma. Genetic analyses could not be done because of patients' rejection.

Keywords: Adrenocortical adenoma, Hyperaldosteronism

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Computed tomography (CT) finding in case 1 and 2. (A) Case 1. An enhanced mass measured 1.5 cm in left adrenal gland. (B) Case 2. A nodular mass measured about 1 cm in medial rim of left adrenal gland.
enm-27-329-g001
Fig. 2
Histology of adrenal adenoma in case 1 and 2. (A) The cells form sheets and nests exhibit uniform nuclei and clear cytoplasm due to their high lipid content (H&E stain, × 200). (B) The cells arrange in nests and groups and have abundant lipid vacuoles (H&E stain, × 200).
enm-27-329-g002
Table 1
The result of renin stimulation test in case 1 and 2
enm-27-329-i001

*Renin reference range: supine, 0.15-2.33 pg/mL; erect, 1.31-3.95 pg/mL; †Aldosteron reference range: supine, 10.00-160.00 pg/mL; erect, 40.00-310.00 pg/mL.

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