Use of computed tomography in diagnosing the cause of primary aldosteronism

Journal Article · Thu Dec 25 00:00:00 EST 1980 · New Engl. J. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198012253032603· OSTI ID:6921311

White, E A; Schambelan, M; Rost, C R; Biglieri, E G; Moss, A A; Korobkin, M

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 22 consecutive patients with primary aldosteronism to evaluate the usefulness of this technique in diagnosing and locating aldosterone-producing adenomas. Sixteen patients had severe hypokalemia, hyperaldosteronism, and elevated plasma levels of 18-hydroxycorticosterone suggestive of an adenoma. In 12 of these 16, a unilateral adrenal mass was demonstrated clearly, and in all 11 who had surgery an adenoma was confirmed. In the other four patients in this group, one adrenal gland was normal and the other was either not seen adequately or had minor abnormalities that could not be definitely classified; and adenoma was found in the poorly visualized gland in each of the two patients who had surgery. The remaining six patients, who had milder biochemical abnormalities suggestive of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, had bilateral adrenal enlargement or normal-appearing glands on scan and were not surgically explored.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, San Francisco
• OSTI ID: 6921311
• Journal Information: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Vol. 303:26
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ADENOMAS
DIAGNOSIS
ALDOSTERONE
CAT SCANNING
ADRENAL GLANDS
PATIENTS
PLASMA
SURGERY
ADRENAL HORMONES
ALDEHYDES
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CORTICOSTEROIDS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IMAGE PROCESSING
KETONES
MEDICINE
MINERALOCORTICOIDS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PREGNANES
PROCESSING
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
TOMOGRAPHY
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)
550900 - Pathology