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Updated: Dec 3, 2025
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Adrenal Artery Ablation for the Treatment of Hypercortisolism Based on Adrenal Venous Sampling: A Potential
Qing Zhou1, Xiaoli Liu1, Hexuan Zhang1
1Department of Hypertension and Endocrinology, Center for Hypertension and Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Institute of Hypertension, Daping Hospital and the Research Institute of Surgery, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, People's Republic of China.
Aim:
Hypercortisolism is characterized by metabolic disorders and high mortality rates. Adrenalectomy and medical therapies are considered major treatment options. However, some patients, especially young patients, are strongly against undergoing surgery in case of secondary hypocortisolism or relapses that require replacement supplements or pharmacological interventions. In such cases, alternative therapies are needed to treat hypercortisolism.
Methods:
We report a 27-year-old Chinese female with adrenal cortisol-producing adenoma. The patient's circadian rhythm and concentrations of cortisol were abnormal, accompanying with an increased 24-hour urinary cortisol level. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a nodular soft-tissue mass in the right adrenal gland.
Results:
Cortisol hypersecretion from the right adrenal gland was verified by adrenal venous sampling (AVS). Adrenal artery ablation was performed. After ablation, long-term follow-up showed that the patient's symptoms subsided and abnormal laboratory test results returned to normal without pharmacological treatment.
Conclusion:
AVS might be a promising method to aid the diagnosis of cortisol-producing adenoma. Adrenal artery ablation is minimally invasive and may be useful for the treatment of adrenal adenoma or nodular diseases, especially in patients who cannot undergo surgery.
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