Adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma: use of colonic potential in diagnosis and subtraction scanning technique for localisation. Issue 6026 (3rd July 1976)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Britton, K E; Goodwin, T J; Peart, W S; Snell, M E
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 2:Issue 6026(1976)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 1976-07-03
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.6026.11
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Primary hyperaldosteronism is a potentially curable cause of hypertension, and much interest has been shown in methods of diagnosing the associated hypokalaemic hypertension and localising the adrenal adenoma. In two patients the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was confirmed by colonic potential measurement and the adenoma localised by a new subtraction technique for early adrenal imaging applied to the use of 131I-19-iodocholesterol. Both patients underwent adrenalectomy and in each case an adenoma was removed. Blood pressure and electrolyte levels returned to normal after operation. In one patient bilateral adrenal phlebography had failed to show the tumour, and sampling of aldosterone concentrations in the adrenal veins had been unsatisfactory.