Adrenocortical Adenoma Producing 18‐Hydroxycorticosterone

Abstract

A 30-year-old man presented at our hospital with microscopic hematuria. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scanning revealed a right adrenal mass measuring 20 x 20mm. The tumor was asymptomatic, but there was obvious accumulation on the right side when scintigraphy was performed with radioactive iodine (1311)-labeled adosterol. Endocrinology studies showed elevation of the plasma cortisol and renin concentrations, while the plasma aldosterone level was low. Right laparoscopic adrenalectomy was done on July 4, 1994. Histologic examination showed an adrenocortical adenoma. Serum levels of adrenocortical hormones were measured before and after surgery, and the tissue content for the same hormones was determined in the resected tumor. The hormonal studies showed that the tumor produc ed 18-hydroxycorticosterone.

Complications of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in 75 Patients Treated by the Same Surgeon

“…Forty-two tumors were on the right side and 33 were on the left. There were: 3 cases of pheochromocytoma; 22 cases of primary aldosteronism (including one 18OH-corticosterone-producing tumor [10]and one 11-deoxycorticosterone-producing tumor); 26 cases of Cushing’s syndrome (including 14 with pre-Cushing’s syndrome); 21 cases of nonfunctioning tumor (including 4 ganglioneuromas and 3 myelolipomas); 2 cases of metastatic adrenal carcinoma, and 1 case of adrenal tuberculosis. Preoperative complications were most frequently observed in Cushing’s syndrome patients, with 1 patient having spinal injury and 1 having a compression fracture of the thoracic vertebrae.…”