Hypertension due to co-existing paraganglioma and unilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia

J Formos Med Assoc. 2007 Dec;106(12):1043-7. doi: 10.1016/S0929-6646(08)60081-9.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / complications*
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / surgery
  • Adrenalectomy
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperaldosteronism / complications*
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / complications*
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / pathology
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / surgery
  • Pheochromocytoma / complications*
  • Pheochromocytoma / pathology
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed