Bilateral adrenal tumours in primary aldosteronism: localization of a unilateral aldosteronoma by dexamethasone suppression scan

J Intern Med. 1991 Jun;229(6):545-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1991.tb00394.x.

Abstract

In a patient with primary aldosteronism, in which the postural endocrine tests suggested the presence of an aldosteronoma rather than hyperplasia, bilateral adrenal tumours were found by computer tomography. Adrenal scintigraphy using 6-131I-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NP59) during dexamethasone suppression showed early unilateral adrenal visualization on the left side. After removal of the left adrenal gland, which contained a 2 x 2 x 2 cm adenoma, the blood pressure and aldosterone levels returned to normal. A CT-scan, performed 1 year after the pre-operative CT-scan, showed no change in size of the right adrenal tumour, consistent with a non-functioning adenoma. In this patient, the NP59 scan adequately distinguished a non-functioning from an aldosterone-producing adrenal tumour.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adosterol
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Dexamethasone*
  • Humans
  • Hyperaldosteronism / etiology*
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Adosterol
  • Dexamethasone