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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Hypertension due to co-existing paraganglioma and unilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia
Kuo-Hsuan Chiang1, Jer-Young Liou, Kou-Gi Shyu
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract:
A rare case of combined unilateral adrenal hyperplasia and paraganglioma is reported. A 27-year-old woman presented with hypertension, palpitation, dizziness, and headache for about 3 months. Elevated plasma aldosterone with low renin and a high level of urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were found. Computed tomography showed a microadenoma of the left adrenal gland and a well demarcated left retroperitoneal para-aortic mass. Adrenal vein sampling for aldosterone and renin levels suggested left adrenal lesion. Surgical removal of the left adrenal gland and para-aortic mass was performed. Pathologic examination of the resected left adrenal gland showed adrenal cortical hyperplasia and the left retroperitoneal para-aortic mass showed a paraganglioma. Postoperatively, blood pressure, plasma renin, aldosterone and urine VMA all returned to within normal ranges. The possible relationship of these two diseases is discussed.
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