Surgically correctable adrenal-dependent hypertension: a report of five cases

Abstract

SummaryAlthough endocrine causes of secondary hypertension are relatively uncommon, medical practitioners must maintain a high index of suspicion for them in certain categories of patients. Such patients include young individuals, those with difficult-to-treat hypertension and those presenting with symptoms, clinical signs and/or laboratory parameters well-known to be associated with Cushing's syndrome, Conn's syndrome or phaeochromocytoma.This paper reports on 5 patients identified over a 2-year period with various hormonally-active adrenal adenomas causing hypertension in an environment where, hitherto, the occurrence of these conditions was generally thought to be rare. Aspects of the patients' histories, examination and laboratory findings that drew attention to the possibility of the diagnosis in each case are highlighted, as are the confirmatory investigations and management methods used by a multidisciplinary team of medical practitioners. The clinical outcome with appropriate treatment of adrenal-related hypertension is good and can result in significant cost savings in the long term.