We retrospectively analyzed 40
adrenalectomies due to 13 cases of primary
aldosteronism, 12 cases of
Cushing's syndrome and 15 cases of
pheochromocytoma, which were performed at Chungnam National
University Hospital during the last 10 years. Of the 25
patients who presented with adrenal cortical
tumors(primary
aldosteronism and
Cushing's syndrome), 23 had an
adenoma and two had cortical
hyperplasia. The overall ratio of
males to
females was 21. As to the
age distribution, primary
aldosteronism was predominant in the 4th and the 5th decades and
Cushing's syndrome; in the 3rd and the 4th decades; however,
pheochromocytoma was almost evenly distributed in 2nd through the 6th decades.
Headaches,
fatigue, and general weakness were the most frequent symptoms in primary
aldosteronism;
weight gain or a change in fat distribution in
Cushing's syndrome; and
headaches or blurred
vision related to
hypertension and palpitation in
pheochromocytoma.
Postoperative complications mostly occurred in
patients with
Cushing's syndrome There were four
wound infections, including one
abdominal abscess, one
pleurisy, one cerebral and cerebellar infaction, and two
intestinal obstructions, but there were no postoperative deaths.