Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (Dec 2007)

Hypertension Due to Co-existing Paraganglioma and Unilateral Adrenal Cortical Hyperplasia

  • Kuo-Hsuan Chiang,
  • Jer-Young Liou,
  • Kou-Gi Shyu,
  • Chung-Hsin Yeh,
  • Chin-Chu Wu,
  • Tong-Jong Chen,
  • Huey-Ming Lo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0929-6646(08)60081-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 106, no. 12
pp. 1043 – 1047

Abstract

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A rare case of combined unilateral adrenal hyperplasia and paraganglioma is reported. A 27-year-old woman presented with hypertension, palpitation, dizziness, and headache for about 3 months. Elevated plasma aldosterone with low renin and a high level of urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were found. Computed tomography showed a microadenoma of the left adrenal gland and a well demarcated left retroperitoneal para-aortic mass. Adrenal vein sampling for aldosterone and renin levels suggested left adrenal lesion. Surgical removal of the left adrenal gland and para-aortic mass was performed. Pathologic examination of the resected left adrenal gland showed adrenal cortical hyperplasia and the left retroperitoneal para-aortic mass showed a paraganglioma. Postoperatively, blood pressure, plasma renin, aldosterone and urine VMA all returned to within normal ranges. The possible relationship of these two diseases is discussed.

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