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

We report two cases of chronic eGFR decline after unilateral adrenalectomy d/t PA. 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. But 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.
Source: Kidney Research and Clinical Practice - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research