Aldosterone-secreting adrenal cortical adenoma in an 11-year-old child and collective review of the literature.
We report a rare case of primary hyperaldosteronism in an 11-year-old female patient due to a unilateral adrenal cortical adenoma. The patient presented with hypertension, hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis associated with inappropriate kaliuresis. The diagnosis was supported by the following laboratory findings: elevated plasma aldosterone, suppressed plasma renin activity, nonsuppressible aldosterone secretion following saline infusion and absent plasma aldosterone response to ambulation. MRI revealed a 1 cm diameter adrenal tumour on the left side. Even though the NP-59 scintigraphy gave a negative result, laparotomy with left adrenalectomy was performed. Pathological examination confirmed an adenoma in the adrenal cortex. The patient's blood pressure and biochemical laboratory data normalized postoperatively within 2 days. We recommended that in hypertensive children with hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis, primary aldosteronism should be considered.
Department of Paediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
J T
JT
Li
S G
SG
Shu
C S
CS
Chi
D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
D000450:Aldosterone