Kidney Res Clin Pract.  2016 Dec;35(4):255-258. 10.1016/j.krcp.2016.05.002.

Unmasked chronic renal function deterioration after unilateral adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism

• Park SM
• Jung WJ
• Park JM
• Rhee H
• Kim IY
• Seong EY
• Lee DW
• Lee SB
• Kwak IS
• Shin N
• Song SH

• KMID: 2364292
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.krcp.2016.05.002

Abstract

We report 2 cases of chronic estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline after unilateral adrenalectomy due to primary aldosteronism. The patients were diagnosed with unilateral adrenal cortical adenoma releasing aldosterone. Two patients were examined for hypertension and hypokalemia. Unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in both cases, and pathology confirmed adrenal cortical adenoma. After adrenalectomy, hypertension and hypokalemia improved to within normal range. However, the eGFR decreased postoperatively, and abdominal computed tomography scan showed decreased kidney size compared to previous images. Kidney biopsy was performed to delineate the exact cause of renal function deterioration and revealed hypertensive changes with chronic interstitial changes, indicating that glomerular hyperfiltration with aldosterone excess masked renal function damage. Physicians have to consider the probability of postadrenalectomy eGFR decline related to chronic hypertensive change.

Keyword

Adrenalectomy; Chronic kidney disease; Glomerular filtration rate; Primary aldosteronism

MeSH Terms

Adrenalectomy*
Adrenocortical Adenoma
Aldosterone
Biopsy
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Humans
Hyperaldosteronism*
Hypertension
Hypokalemia
Kidney
Masks
Pathology
Reference Values
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Aldosterone