Surgical management of aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas: a review of 16 patients.

Tabulation of the diagnostic evaluation and operative treatment of 16 patients with aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas is presented. The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was confirmed in all patients by biochemical and radiologic studies. Selective venous sampling of adrenal vein aldosterone localized the adenoma in 14 patients and proved to be the single most helpful diagnostic procedure. Computed tomography was used recently to confirm the localization of these interesting lesions and may become the initial noninvasive diagnostic study. Confidence in the accuracy of preoperative localization has led to the choice of the posterior approach to the involved adrenal gland. Postoperative morbidity has been low regardless of the operative approach; however, subjective patient acceptance of posterior adrenalectomy suggests a more comfortable convalescence and a more rapid return to normal activity.