Primary Aldosteronism Due to Adrenal Hyperplasia

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Abstract
Since Conn's description of the clinical features associated with primary aldosteronism in 1955,1several other cases have been reported in the literature.2-12This syndrome, which is the result of hypersecretion by the adrenal gland of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone, is usually due to a functioning adrenocortical adenoma. In the few cases without adenoma, hyperplasia chiefly involving the zona fasciculata has been found,9and hyperaldosteronism due to adrenocortical carcinoma with hepatic metastases has been reported.4All patients were adults except one girl6aged 13, and one boy12aged 9 years. The clinical syndrome originally described by Conn1,13consists essentially of polyuria and polydipsia, arterial hypertension, periodic weakness and "paralyses," paresthesiae, and intermittent tetany. These findings are associated with altered electrolyte metabo lism manifested by metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia and hypernatremia, and elevated potassium content of sweat, saliva, and urine, with low sweat, salivary, and

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