Resistant hypertension after shockwave lithotripsy: the rude awakening of an adrenal incidentaloma

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. e235261
Author(s):  
Ramon Jr Bagaporo Larrazabal ◽  
Harold Henrison Chang Chiu ◽  
Mark Anthony Santiago Sandoval

A 41-year-old woman presented to the hospital because of left flank pain. CT scan of the kidneys revealed left-sided calculi and an incidental right adrenal mass, no other symptoms noted. She then underwent shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). However, immediately postoperatively, she had elevated blood pressure and remained hypertensive despite having four different medications. How SWL could have increased blood pressure could not be identified. On endocrine consult 16 months after SWL, she was found to now exhibit signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome. Further workup revealed the adrenal incidentaloma to be cortisol-secreting. After undergoing right laparoscopic adrenalectomy, her blood pressure normalised, cortisol levels decreased and signs of Cushing’s syndrome gradually improved. We hypothesise that the performance of the SWL could have triggered the adenoma to ‘awaken’ from being non-functioning to cortisol-producing since this was the only intervening event. Observations of other patients are needed to validate our hypothesis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramon B Larrazabal

Abstract BACKGROUND The National Institutes of Health defines adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) as clinically inapparent adrenal masses discovered inadvertently in diagnostic testing or treatment for conditions not related to the adrenal glands. Non-functional adenoma remains the most frequent (60–85%) cause, while functional adenomas at 5–16%. CLINICAL CASE A previously healthy 41 year-old female consulted for a 2-month history of left flank pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the kidneys revealed left calculi and incidental right adrenal mass. She was asymptomatic at this time. She then underwent shockwave lithotripsy for the renal calculi. However, post-operatively, she had elevated blood pressure and was started on anti-hypertensives. She remained hypertensive despite being on four different medications. Pertinent physical examination findings: plethora of the face and extremities, Moon facies, Buffalo Hump, and pendulous abdomen with grayish striae. Further work-up revealed the AI to be cortisol-secreting. Pertinent laboratories: 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test - 800 nmol/L (<50 nmol/L), 24-hr urine free cortisol - 1014.86 ug/24 hr (20–90 ug/24 hr), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) - 5.0 pg/ml (9–52 pg/ml). She then underwent a right laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Post-operatively, her blood pressure normalized without her anti-hypertensive medications. Tissue biopsy of the mass was consistent with an adrenocortical adenoma. On her follow-up after one month, signs of Cushing’s Syndrome were clinically improving. CONCLUSION This is the first case that demonstrated shockwave lithotripsy converting a non-functioning adrenal incidentaloma into a functioning one. It also shows how internists and surgeons (i.e. Urologists) can manage various aspects of patient care through the facilitation of medical treatments, surgical interventions, and ensuring a proper multidisciplinary approach based on the endocrinology clinical guidelines. So as not to delay the delivery of proper management to the patient. REFERENCES (1) Grumbach M, Biller B, Braunstein G. et al. “Management of the clinically inapparent adrenal mass (“incidentaloma”).” Annals of internal medicine 2003; 138:424–4292 Herrera M, Grant C, van Heerden J. et al. “Incidentally discovered adrenal tumors: an institutional perspective.” Surgery 1991; 110:1014.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asli Dogruk Unal ◽  
Semra Ayturk ◽  
Derya Aldemir ◽  
Neslihan Bascil Tutuncu

Subclinical Cushing’s syndrome (SCS) is a condition of slight but chronic cortisol excess in patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) without typical signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome. Adiponectin has potent roles in modulating energy balance and metabolic homeostasis and acts in opposition to glucocorticoids. This study aimed to evaluate adiponectin level in SCS and nonfunctional AI (NAI) patients and its relation with metabolic parameters. Patients with AI (n=40) and metabolically healthy controls (n=30) were included. In AI patients and controls, detailed medical history assessment, physical examinations, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory measurements were performed. Age, body mass index, waist circumference, and lipid profiles were significantly higher and waist-to-hip ratio and adiponectin level were significantly lower in the AI patients than in the controls. The midnight cortisol and urinary free cortisol levels were significantly higher in the SCS patients (n=8) than in the NAI patients (n=32). Adiponectin level of the SCS group was significantly lower than those of the NAI and control groups. The sensitivity and specificity for an adiponectin level of ≤13.00 ng/mL in predicting the presence of SCS were 87.5% and 77.4%, respectively. In conclusion, adiponectin is valuable in predicting the presence of SCS in AI patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Benedini ◽  
Giorgia Grassi ◽  
Carmen Aresta ◽  
Antonietta Tufano ◽  
Luca Fabio Carmignani ◽  
...  

Incidentally discovered adrenal masses are very common given the increased number of imaging studies performed in recent years. We here report a clinical case of a 20-year-old woman who presented with left flank pain. Ultrasound examination revealed a contralateral adrenal mass, which was confirmed at computed tomography (CT) scan. Hormonal hypersecretion was excluded. Given the size (11 × 10 × 7 cm) and the uncertain nature of the mass, it was surgically removed and sent for pathological analyses. Conclusive diagnosis was ganglioneuroblastoma. Ganglioneuroblastoma is an uncommon malignant tumor, extremely rare in adults, particularly in females. This neoplasm is frequently localized in adrenal gland.


2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 1272-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Terzolo ◽  
Silvia Bovio ◽  
Anna Pia ◽  
Giangiacomo Osella ◽  
Giorgio Borretta ◽  
...  

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome (CS) is attracting increasing interest since the serendipitous discovery of an adrenal mass has become a rather frequent event owing to the routine use of sophisticated radiologic techniques. Cortical adenoma is the most frequent type of adrenal incidentaloma accounting for approximately 50% of cases in surgical series and even greater shares in medical series. Incidentally discovered adrenal adenomas may secrete cortisol in an autonomous manner that is not fully restrained by pituitary feedback, in 5 to 20% of cases depending on study protocols and diagnostic criteria. The criteria for qualifying subclinical cortisol excess are controversial and presently there is no consensus on a gold standard for the diagnosis of this condition. An increased frequency of hypertension, central obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes and hyperlipemia has been described in patients with subclinical CS; however, there is still no clear demonstration of the long-term complications of this condition whose management remains largely empirical. Either adrenalectomy or careful observation associated with treatment of the metabolic syndrome have been suggested as treatment options.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Magnaye Humarang

Abstract Background: Adrenal Cortical Cancer (ACC) is a rare malignancy with an annual incidence of 1-2 per million population. ACC is generally considered a highly malignant tumor and account for 0.05-2% of all cancer.Clinical case: A 32-year old male, newly diagnosed diabetic and hypertensive for 1 month, with a BMI of 37.91 kg/m2, presented with intermittent, vague, non-radiating flank pain. Within a month, patient started to develop weight gain associated with Cushingoid fascies, buffalo hump, elevated blood sugars, hypertension, and eventually developed purple striae in the abdomen associated with easy bruisability. Ultrasound was done which showed bilateral nephrolithiasis. Further work-up with CT-stonogram was done which showed bilateral nephrolithiasis and a 55x37x60mm heterogeneous mass above the left kidney in the area of the left adrenal gland. Further imaging with whole abdominal CT scan was done which revealed stable size of the mass in the region of the left adrenal gland with heterogeneous attenuation and enhancement.Initial hormonal work-ups done showed abnormal 1mg dexamethasone suppression test (874mmol/L N: 172-497mmol/L), but with normal aldosterone (73.22, N: <90pg/ml), renin (8.60pg/mL, N: 5-40pg/mL) and 24-hour urine metanephrines (31 mcg/24 hours N: 115-695mcg/24 hours). Serum K and blood glucose was managed accordingly and patient was cleared to undergo surgery. Patient underwent left unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy which revealed a 7cm soft, friable left adrenal mass with minimal hematoma on the antero-inferior portion of the adrenal gland, with active bleeding. Histopathology of the left adrenal mass revealed high-grade adrenal neoplasm, consistent with adrenocortical carcinoma.Postoperatively, patient did not have complications of hypo nor hyperglycemia, hypotension and serum potassium was stable. Hydrocortisone was given postoperatively in tapering doses. Repeat cortisol were done 24 and 48 hours post op which showed normal results (4.02ug/dL and 5.37 ug/dL respectively, N: 5-25 ug/dL). Patient was referred to Oncology service for Chemotherapy and was eventually discharged stable with home medications for his Diabetes mellitus.On follow-up, there was noted improvement on the signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome, with no hypokalemia and better blood glucose control. Conclusion: Majority of adrenal mass are benign but a high index of suspicion for malignancy should always be part of the workup. The acuteness of symptoms and size of mass are important determinants of malignancy. Prior to adrenalectomy, perioperative endocrine therapy is a must. Adrenocortical carcinoma should be managed by a multidisciplinary specialist team including an endocrinologist, oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, and a histopathologist.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1416-1418
Author(s):  
Shankar Bastakoti ◽  
Binay Thakur ◽  
Mukti Devkota ◽  
Amrita Paudel

Adrenal angiomyolipoma is a rare benign entity and only to sixteen cases have been reported in English literature till date. Other site of occurrence is liver, spleen, lungs, bone and ovary. We report a female aged 54 years, who presented with left flank pain, on CT scan showed left adrenal mass. Patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy and final histopathological examination revealed angiomyolipoma of   left adrenal gland.


Pituitary ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza B. Geer ◽  
Roberto Salvatori ◽  
Atanaska Elenkova ◽  
Maria Fleseriu ◽  
Rosario Pivonello ◽  
...  

The original version of the article unfortunately contained an error in the first name and the surname of one of the authors in the author group. The last author name was incorrectly published as ‘F. Pecori Giraldi’ and the corrected name is ‘Francesca Pecori Giraldi’ (First name: Francesca; Surname: Pecori Giraldi).


1998 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terzolo ◽  
Osella ◽  
Alì ◽  
Borretta ◽  
Cesario ◽  
...  

1970 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-143
Author(s):  
M Nowshad Ali ◽  
S Hoq Miah ◽  
M Meharunnesa ◽  
SM Badruddoza ◽  
Mushtaque Ahmed

Adrenocortical carcinoma is an uncommon tumour in the pediatric population. Account for only a small fraction of pediatric adrenal tumour. Most tumors in children are functional, and virilization is by far the most common presenting symptom, followed by Cushing's syndrome and precocious puberty. All patients with suspected adrenocortical carcinoma should be carefully evaluated for signs and symptoms of hormonal syndromes. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5039 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 142-143


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