Adrenal adenoma with primary aldosteronism in a child: a case report

Primary aldosteronism caused by an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma was documented in an 11-year-old girl who presented with persistent hypertension, headache, tinnitus and hypokalemia. Elevated plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) (45.5 ng/dl) and suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA) (< 0.3 ng/ml/hrs) were detected. Saline infusion test and postural test helped to confirm the diagnosis. The tumor site was localized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Surgical removal of the tumor yielded dramatic improvement in blood pressure; PAC and PRA returned to normal range. This rare case illustrates the feasibility of recognition and localization of adrenal adenoma in children. The high cure rate by surgical excision warrants careful screening of hypertensive patients with this entity.