Aldosterone-secreting adrenal cortical adenoma in an 11-year-old child and collective review of the literature

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Abstract
We report a rare case of primary hyperaldosteronism due to a unilateral adrenal cortical adenoma in an 11-year-old female patient. The patient presented with hypertension, hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis, associated with inappropriate kaliuresis. The diagnosis was supported by the following laboratory findings: elevated plasma aldosterone, suppressed plasma renin activity, nonsuppressible aldosterone secretion following saline infusion and absent plasma aldosterone reponse to ambulation. MRI revealed a 1 cm-diameter adrenal tumour on the left side. Even though the NP-59 scintigraphy showed the negative result, laparotomy with left adrenalectomy was performed. Pathological examination confirmed an adenoma in the adrenal cortex. The patient's blood pressure and biochemical laboratory data normalized postoperatively within 2 days. We recommend that in hypertensive children with hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis, primary aldosteronism should be considered.