Recurrence of Primary Aldosteronism After Surgery in Aldosterone-producing Adenoma With KCNJ5 Gene Mutation

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a major cause of secondary hypertension. Aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) is a subtype of PA, and adrenalectomy is the gold-standard treatment. Recently, a high prevalence of the KCNJ5 gene mutation has been reported in APA, particularly in Japan. Herein, we present 2 extremely rare cases of PA recurrence more than 10 years after adrenalectomy for APA. In the first case, a 52-year-old woman was examined for hypertension 22 years after total adrenalectomy of the right adrenal gland. Recurrent PA was diagnosed based on high aldosterone-renin-ratio (ARR), identification of left adrenal gland tumor by computed tomography (CT), and a confirmatory test. In the second case, a 65-year-old man was examined for hypertension 17 years after total adrenalectomy of the left adrenal gland. He had maintained his blood pressure using medication since the onset of hypertension 4 years after the surgery. A year later, a high ARR was observed. PA recurrence was determined by a right adrenal gland tumor noted on CT and a confirmatory test. Somatic mutations in KCNJ5 were detected in the resected tissues in both cases. We recommend careful follow-ups after adrenalectomy in APA cases, especially in those with a KCNJ5 gene mutation.