[A case of primary aldosteronism due to unilateral multiple adrenal adenomas]

A 64-year-old female with hypertension, hypokalemia visited our hospital. Endocrinological examinations showed a low level of plasma renin activity and high level of plasma aldosterone. Circadian rhythmicity of plasma aldosterone level was recognized. No change in the plasma level of aldosterone was observed after loading of standing and administration of furosemide. Adrenal scintigraphy, adrenal venous aldosterone assay and CT scan revealed two tumors in the left adrenal. The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism by left adrenal tumors was made from the above findings. A left adrenalectomy was performed and pathological findings showed two adenomas, which had no capsule either and were surrounded by normal adrenocortical tissue. Blood pressure normalized after surgery and the plasma levels of aldosterone and plasma renin activity were normalized.