Aldosterone-producing tumors (Conn's syndrome).

Adenomas of the adrenal cortex which produce aldosterone (APA) are among the surgically correctible causes of hypertension accounting for 0.5 to 1.0% of all hypertensive etiologies. The adenomas have a 5:1 predilection for women and generally present with hypertension or profound hypokalemia. A low plasma renin activity completes the triad for primary hyperaldosteronism which could be caused by adrenocortical cancer, a neoplasm with an average diameter of 12 cm, or idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA), a bilateral hyperplasia of the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex which responds poorly to surgical resection. The adenomas are small (2 cm) but can be localized by imaging or selective venous sampling. Resection has a high success rate with minimal morbidity.