Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2007;51(3):478-487
Primary aldosteronism caused by aldosteronoma: problems in the etiologic diagnosis
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302007000300018
Primary aldosteronism (PA) represents an important cause of secondary hypertension, potentially curable, and it has been receiving particular attention due to its increasing prevalence, after the beginning of the use of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity ratio as a screening method. We present a case of PA caused by an aldosteronoma associated with a contralateral nonfunctioning adrenal adenoma, which resulted in difficulties in the final diagnosis. We discuss the most appropriated tests to screen, confirm the diagnosis of PA and define the etiology of the disorder, especially the adrenal veins sampling to distinguish the aldosteronoma and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism and to guide successful treatment.