[Primary hyperaldosteronism. A study of 18 cases].
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is defined as an autonomous over-production of aldosterone by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal glands. It is classically considered as a rare cause of hypertension. Aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) and idiopatic hyperoldosteronism (IHA) represent the most frequent subtypes of PA. The authors report 18 cases of PA (14 women an 4 men) with a mean age of 42 +/- 13.5 years. All patients have hypertension and hypokaliemia (K < 3.5 mmol/l). Eleven patients have an APA, one patient has an adrenal carcinoma and three patients have IHA. The subtype of PA has not been established in three patients. We discuss in this article the clinical, biological, radiological and evolutif characteristics of our cases, and we insist on the necessity of making a precise etiologic diagnosis to propose the most adequate treatment.
Cherif
Lotfi
L
Service de Néphrologie et de Médecine Interne Unité d'Endocrinologie, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisie.
Ben Abdallah
Nejib
N
Khiari
Karima
K
Hadj
Ali Insaf
AI
Ben Maïz
Hedi
H
Yahyaoui
Rim
R
Essaies
Olfa
O
Ktari
Sonia
S
Zidi
Borni
B
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000450:Aldosterone; D012083:Renin; D011188:Potassium