Volumetric and densitometric evaluation of the adrenal glands in patients with primary aldosteronism. (17th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Degenhart, Christoph; Schneller, Julia; Osswald, Andrea; Pallauf, Anna; Riester, Anna; Reiser, Maximilian F.; Reincke, Martin; Beuschlein, Felix
• Is Part Of: Clinical endocrinology. Volume 86:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2016-11-17
• Subjects: Endocrinology -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1111/cen.13258
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0664

Abstract

Summary: Objective: To evaluate volumetric and densitometric properties of the adrenal glands in patients with unilateral and bilateral disease in comparison with normal controls. Design: A total of 77 patients (56 males and 21 females) diagnosed with primary aldosteronism (PA) with a mean age of 53 ± 10 years were prospectively enrolled. Unenhanced and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography scans were analysed for adrenal volumes and mean densities. These values were compared with normal controls and between PA subtypes. Results: Adrenals containing an aldosterone‐producing adenoma (APA, n = 56) had on average higher attenuation values as compared to adrenals with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia ( n = 21). Mean adrenal gland volume in PA patients was not significantly different between PA subtypes. In comparison with normal adrenal glands, volumes were significantly higher in PA patients ( P < 0·0001) including adrenals contralateral to APAs, which were significantly larger in comparison with controls. Conclusion: Independent of subtype differentiation, adrenal volumetry reveals higher adrenal volumes in PA patients in comparison with normal controls. These findings provide indirect evidence for a general adrenal growth dysregulation in the context of PA.