Diagnosis and surgical treatment of primary aldosteronism in pregnancy: a case report

Abstract

Background: Aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas are rare, especially during pregnancy. We report a patient who presented in the early second trimester, was diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, and was treated successfully by adrenalectomy.

Case: A 17-year-old black nulliparous woman was found to have a blood pressure (BP) of 150/82 mmHg when she registered for prenatal care at 14 weeks' gestation. Initial laboratory assessment revealed a markedly diminished serum potassium level of 2.1 mmol/L. Further laboratory evaluation detected decreased random plasma renin activity and an elevated aldosterone level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2-cm right adrenal lesion. She was diagnosed with an adrenal adenoma and successfully underwent an adrenalectomy at 17 weeks' gestation. Postoperatively, her BP and serum potassium level normalized. She spontaneously delivered a normal male infant at term.

Conclusion: Although primary hyperaldosteronism is a rare clinical entity, it must be considered when hypertension and hypokalemia are present concurrently. Antepartum medical management can be difficult, often resulting in poor obstetric outcome. Surgery in the second trimester is an effective option.