Surgically Treated Resistant Hypertension Due to Bilateral Adrenal Hyperplasia

Background: Treatment resistant hypertension (TRH) may affect about 15% of patients with hypertension. While primary hyperaldosteronism is a known etiology of TRH, clinicians must consider the possibility of elevations of other adrenal hormones. Early identification of an etiology may prevent or delay the onset of complications. Case Report: Endocrinology was consulted on a 46 years-old man for evaluation of TRH. His past medical history is significant for TRH, nonischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure (Ejection Fraction 45–50%), and chronic kidney disease. Physical examination was unremarkable except for a blood pressure of 193/124 mmHg while on furosemide, isosorbide mononitrate, hydralazine, carvedilol, spironolactone, and clonidine. Chart review revealed mild hypokalemia. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen without contrast showed bilateral enlarged nodular adrenal glands with an increase in size over the last three years (left adrenal gland: 6.3 cm, right adrenal gland: 5.6 cm). Initial workup showed normal free plasma metanephrine, normetanephrine, aldosterone renin ratio, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and undetectable random adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with random cortisol of 29 mcg/dl. Subsequent evaluation revealed elevated deoxycorticosterone (3030 ng/dL), 11-deoxycorticosterone (42 ng/d) and 18-Hydroxycorticosterone (640 ng/dL). He subsequently developed Cushing’s syndrome and diabetes mellitus. The patient underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy and subtotal right adrenalectomy. Pathology showed macro-nodular adrenal cortical hyperplasia. He was started on hydrocortisone for postoperative adrenal insufficiency. On his most recent follow-up, his blood pressure was well controlled on bumetanide, carvedilol, metolazone, and nifedipine. (Hydralazine, isosorbide mononitrate, spironolactone, and clonidine were stopped). After surgery, Corticosterone (92.10 ng/dL), 11-Deoxycorticosterone (<5.00 ng/dL) and ACTH(9 pg/mL) normalized. Conclusion: Determining the etiology of TRH should not be stopped after ruling out the “usual suspects” since malignant hypertension with end-organ dysfunction can develop, if not appropriately treated. In our patient, TRH was due to elevated 18-Hydroxycorticosterone (precursor of aldosterone), which improved after adrenalectomy.