scholarly journals Adrenal and Hepatic Venous Sampling in a Case of Aldosterone-Producing Adrenocortical Carcinoma with Hepatic Metastasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Toru Sugiyama ◽  
Yuriko Sasahara ◽  
Hironobu Sasano ◽  
Eri Hayakawa

Background. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy. ACCs often secrete adrenal steroid hormones including cortisol and androgens; however, aldosterone-producing ACC is very rare. Although adrenal production of aldosterone is assessed by adrenal venous sampling, the use of sampling from the relevant vein to assess aldosterone production from a tumor arising from ACC metastasis has not been previously reported. Case Presentation. We report the case of a 69-year-old Japanese man with aldosterone-producing ACC with hepatic metastasis. He presented with a history of treatment-resistant hypertension and hypokalemia. Endocrinological examination showed markedly increased plasma aldosterone concentration and suppressed plasma renin activity. Serum cortisol concentration was not suppressed by administration of dexamethasone 1 mg, and normal circadian variation of cortisol secretion was disrupted. Abdominal computed tomography showed a large tumor in the left adrenal gland and multiple tumors in the liver. Together, these results strongly suggested ACC with multiple liver metastases causing primary aldosteronism and subclinical Cushing syndrome. Adrenal and hepatic venous sampling showed markedly increased aldosterone concentration in the left adrenal vein but no increase in the hepatic vein, despite a pathological diagnosis of ACC with hepatic metastasis, with immunohistochemical investigation showing both primary and secondary tumors to have synthetic capability for aldosterone. The patient received mitotane but declined combination chemotherapy and died 2 months later. Conclusion. This is the first report of adrenal and hepatic venous sampling in a case of aldosterone-producing ACC with hepatic metastasis. The case suggests that hepatic venous sampling is unable to detect aldosterone production from liver metastases arising from ACC.

1991 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yo Kageyama ◽  
Hiromichi Suzuki ◽  
Takao Saruta

Abstract. Changes in plasma aldosterone, plasma renin activity, plasma cortisol, serum sodium and potassium concentrations were studied in 9 patients with thromboembolic diseases treated with heparin. Heparin was administered at doses of 700-1000 units/h for 7-10 days. Plasma aldosterone decreased from 239±33 to 114±25 pmol/l during heparin therapy and returned to basal levels after discontinuation of the therapy. In addition, responses to a low sodium intake (3 g/day) and ACTH were examined in 5 patients during and 2 weeks after heparin therapy. The increase in plasma aldosterone caused by low sodium intake was significantly attenuated during heparin therapy (124±5% increase from baseline) as compared with that 2 weeks after heparin therapy (148±7%, p<0.05). On the other hand, ACTH stimulated plasma aldosterone similarly during and at 2 weeks after heparin therapy (increase from baseline: 190±20% vs 193±9%). These results suggest that heparin decreased plasma aldosterone owing to attenuation of the angiotensin Il-induced aldosterone production.


1969 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Bailey ◽  
Henry C. Ford

ABSTRACT The effects of heparin administration on various aspects of the response to Na restriction have been investigated in a group of carefully studied healthy subjects. Administration of heparin following the attainment of Na balance during Na restriction resulted in a decline in the plasma aldosterone concentration and in the aldosterone excretion and secretion rates; natriuresis and an increase in salivary Na/K ratio also occurred. No change in the metabolic clearance of aldosterone was observed. Plasma renin activity was increased during heparin administration and no change in plasma renin substrate concentration occurred (one subject). Administration of heparin both before and during Na restriction almost completely inhibited the increase in aldosterone production but the decline in urinary Na excretion during the adjustment period was not greatly altered when compared to that occurring in the absence of heparin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 147032032110037
Author(s):  
Minyue Jia ◽  
Hanxiao Yu ◽  
Zhenjie Liu ◽  
Minzhi He ◽  
Shan Zhong ◽  
...  

Normotensive patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) are relatively rare. Herein, we report two patients with normotensive PA and present a literature review to improve an understanding of the disease. Patient 1, a 56-year-old man, presented with recurrent hypokalemia that lasted for more than 2 years. Patient 2 was a 33-year-old man who presented with sexual dysfunction and was diagnosed with a prolactinoma combined with adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadism. Neither of these patients had hypertension that was detectable on repeated manual measurements. In both patients, a typical biological profile of PA was demonstrated that included hypokalemia with kaliuresis, elevated plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), suppressed plasma renin concentration, and a high aldosterone-to-renin ratio. Both patients did not have sufficiently suppressed PAC on the saline infusion test, confirming the diagnosis of PA. Computed tomography of the adrenal gland and adrenal venous sampling suggested an aldosteronoma, which was confirmed by lateralized hypersecretion of aldosterone. After removal of the benign adenoma, the biochemical abnormalities were corrected. As hypertension is not necessarily a sign of PA, we propose that all patients with hypokalemia should be screened for PA in order to prevent cardiovascular complications while balancing economics and effectiveness.


1971 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-173
Author(s):  
A. Peytremann ◽  
R. Veyrat ◽  
A. F. Muller

ABSTRACT Variations in plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone excretion were studied in normal subjects submitted to salt restriction and simultaneous inhibition of ACTH production with a new synthetic steroid, 6-dehydro-16-methylene hydrocortisone (STC 407). At a dose of 10 mg t. i. d. this preparation exerts an inhibitory effect on the pituitary comparable to that of 2 mg of dexamethasone. In subjects maintained on a restricted salt intake, STC 407 does not delay the establishment of an equilibrium in sodium balance. The increases in endogenous aldosterone production and in plasma renin activity are also similar to those seen in the control subjects. A possible mineralocorticoid effect of STC 407 can be excluded. Under identical experimental conditions, the administration of dexamethasone yielded results comparable to those obtained with STC 407.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sen Lu ◽  
Jasreman Dhillon ◽  
Julie Hallanger Johnson ◽  
Ghassan El-Haddad

Abstract Background Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon malignancy with an estimated 15,400 new cases annually across the globe. The prognosis is generally poor as the disease is often already advanced at initial diagnosis due to non-specific symptoms. Even for local disease, recurrence after surgical resection is high. Treatment choices for advanced disease include mitotane, chemotherapy, ablation, chemoembolization, radioembolization, and external beam radiotherapy, with varying degrees of efficacy. To the best of our knowledge, there have only been two prior case studies of complete clinical and radiological response of stage 4 disease at 1 year and 2 years after yttrium-90 (90Y) microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) of isolated hepatic metastases post-surgery and chemotherapy. Case presentation We present a case of a 58-year-old man with metastatic ACC who was treated with 90Y resin microsphere (SIR-spheres) for local control of liver metastases leading to a surgically proven negative pathology after partial hepatectomy 7 months after SIRT. The patient was initially diagnosed with stage 1 ACC that progressed 6 years later to stage 4 disease with new liver metastases that were deemed unresectable at an outside institution. After review of the case at multidisciplinary tumor board, he was referred for liver directed therapy for local tumor control. Angiographic workup demonstrated partial extrahepatic supply to the tumors from the right inferior phrenic artery, which was successfully embolized on the day of SIRT for flow redistribution. As the patient was being treated with mitotane that suppresses steroid production, he developed post-SIRT adrenal crisis, which was successfully controlled with steroids, highlighting the need for pre SIRT stress dose steroids. Conclusions This case continues to add to the literature supporting 90Y radioembolization as an effective treatment for isolated hepatic ACC metastases. Our case is the first to demonstrate surgically proven negative pathology after radioembolization. Further prospective study is warranted to better establish efficacy as well as safety of SIRT for ACC liver metastases.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zhou ◽  
Ning He ◽  
Jiaze Hong ◽  
Tong Yang ◽  
Derry Minyao Ng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM) patients who were contraindicated for either hepatectomy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods This is a prospective, observational study on GCLM patients with 1–3 liver metastases. The primary gastric lesions were thoroughly resected and any case that exhibited extra-hepatic metastasis was excluded. A 1:2:2 propensity score-matching analysis was performed using a logistic regression model on the HIFU group, best supportive care (BSC) group, and palliative chemotherapy (PC) group. The primary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results Forty patients were finally included, there were 8 cases in HIFU group, 16 cases in BSC group, and 16 cases in PC group. The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 10 months. The median PFS was 16.5 months in HIFU group, 2 months in BSC group, and 5 months in PC group. The median OS was 27.5 months in the HIFU group, 7 months in the BSC group, and 11.5 months in the PC group. Additionally, no grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in the HIFU group. Conclusion The results of this study showed that HIFU treatment could improve the long-term prognosis of GCLM patients without a significant increase in the occurrence of adverse events. Compared with PC and BSC, HIFU is the preferred treatment option when GCLM patients without extra-hepatic metastasis are unable to undergo either surgery or RFA.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 266-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Joseph Eid ◽  
Amanda A Morris ◽  
Sachin A Shah

Objective: To report a case of hypertension secondary to ingestion of licorice root tea. Case Summary: A 46-year-old African American female with newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertension presented with a blood pressure measurement of 144/81 mm Hg and a reduced plasma potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. The patient attempted lifestyle modifications prior to initiating an antihypertensive agent, but at a follow-up appointment, her blood pressure remained elevated. A current laboratory panel revealed a depressed morning plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) of 5 ng/dL and low morning plasma renin activity (PRA) of 0.13 ng/mL/h. Later it was revealed that the patient regularly (1–2 cups/day) consumed “Yogi Calming” tea, a blend of herbs, including licorice root. The patient was advised to discontinue consumption of the herbal tea, and at a subsequent appointment, her blood pressure was 128/73 mm Hg and her laboratory panel had improved, including serum potassium concentration of 4.1 mEq/L, PAC of 6 ng/dL, and PRA of 0.19 ng/mL/h. Discussion: Excessive consumption of licorice has been well documented to cause pseudohyperaldosteronism, characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, and suppressed plasma renin and aldosterone levels. Glycyrrhizin, the active ingredient in licorice, inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, an oxidase responsible for the conversion and inactivation of cortisol to cortisone. Chronic ingestion of licorice-containing foods has been demonstrated to cause pseudohyperaldosteronism. These include soft candies, lozenges, and dietary supplements, but licorice-containing teas have been infrequently described. Based on the Naranjo probability score, our patient's hypertension appears to have been a probable licorice-induced reaction secondary to a licorice-containing tea. Conclusions: Herbal and dietary supplements are frequently consumed by patients without full knowledge of the contents of the products or the impact on their health. In clinical practice, when hypertension is accompanied by hypokalemia and reduced PRA and PAC, licorice consumption should be investigated and causal hypertension ruled out.


Author(s):  
Andrew R. Steele ◽  
Michael M. Tymko ◽  
Victoria L. Meah ◽  
Lydia L Simpson ◽  
Christopher Gasho ◽  
...  

The high-altitude maladaptation syndrome known as chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is characterized by polycythemia and is associated with proteinuria despite unaltered glomerular filtration rate. However, it remains unclear if indigenous highlanders with CMS have altered volume regulatory hormones. We assessed N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP), plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, kidney function (urinary microalbumin, glomerular filtration rate), blood volume, and estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ePASP), in Andean males without (n=14; age=39±11) and with (n=10; age=40±12) CMS at 4330 meters (Cerro de Pasco, Peru). Plasma renin activity (non-CMS: 15.8±7.9 vs. CMS: 8.7±5.4 ng/ml; p=0.025) and plasma aldosterone concentration (non-CMS: 77.5±35.5 vs. CMS: 54.2±28.9 pg/ml; p=0.018) were lower in highlanders with CMS compared to non-CMS, while NT pro-BNP was not different between groups (non-CMS: 1394.9±214.3 vs. CMS: 1451.1±327.8 pg/ml; p=0.15). Highlanders had similar total blood volume (non-CMS: 90±15 vs. CMS: 103±18 ml • kg-1; p=0.071), but Andeans with CMS had greater total red blood cell volume (non-CMS: 46±10 vs. CMS 66±14 ml • kg-1; p<0.01) and smaller plasma volume (non-CMS 43±7 vs. CMS 35±5 ml • kg-1; p=0.03) compared to non-CMS. There were no differences in ePASP between groups (non-CMS 32±9 vs. CMS 31±8 mmHg; p=0.6). A negative correlation was found between plasma renin activity and glomerular filtration rate in both groups (group: r=-0.66; p<0.01; non-CMS: r=-0.60; p=0.022; CMS: r=-0.63; p=0.049). A smaller plasma volume in Andeans with CMS may indicate an additional CMS maladaptation to high-altitude, causing potentially greater polycythemia and clinical symptoms.


Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuefei Huang ◽  
Tham M Yao ◽  
Paul Loutraris ◽  
Isis K Rangel ◽  
Pei Yee Ting ◽  
...  

Lysine-Specific Demethylase1 (LSD1) is an epigenetic factor modulated by salt intake. Previously, we documented the male heterozygote LSD1 knockout mice (LSD1+/-) had dysregulation of aldosterone (ALDO) production on a liberal salt diet (1.6% Na+) associated with salt-sensitive hypertension. This study assessed if: 1) female LSD1+/- mice have a similar phenotype; and 2) the effect of aging on this phenotype. Methods: Female LSD1+/- and wild type mice (LSD1+/+) were randomly assigned for sacrifice at the ages of 18-week, 52-week, and 75-week and the following were assessed at each time point: blood pressure (BP); plasma renin activity (PRA) and ALDO; urine albumin; and ex vivo ALDO production from isolated adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. Results: BP and urine albumin in the LSD1+/- compared to the LSD1+/+ were not different at any age (Table). However, the LSD1+/- had greater ALDO/PRA ratios at 18 weeks compared with the LSD1+/+, but lower ALDO levels and ex vivo ALDO production at 52 and 75 weeks. Associated with this phenotype, the LSD1+/- showed significantly higher rate of all-cause mortality than the LSD1+/+. Conclusion: Lack of LSD1 caused dysregulation of ALDO production in both male and female mice. But the cardiovascular outcomes are different. The LSD1+/- females in contrast to males do not develop hypertension or albuminuria even at 75 weeks of age. However, the females do die at a faster rate than the males of a variety of causes. Thus, there is considerable sexual dimorphism in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular outcomes associated with dysregulation of adrenal ALDO production mediated by lack of LSD1.


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