Possible Origin of Aldosteronoma from Adrenohepatic Fusion Resulting in Intrahepatic Tumor

Abstract

A 69-year-old woman was diagnosed with primary aldosteronism. An enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan before surgery indicated a right adrenal tumor outside the liver. Venous sampling tests revealed unilateral overproduction of aldosterone by the right adrenal gland. Separation of the right adrenal cortex from the liver parenchyma was impractical during a laparoscopic right adrenalectomy because of the solid attachment between the two. Therefore, the existence of adrenohepatic fusion was determined. An incision was made within the right adrenal gland, leaving completely the intrahepatic adrenal tissue on the inner side of the liver, because a partial hepatectomy was not preoperatively planned, and the patient was not informed of the consent before the surgery. Pathological examination did not reveal macro- or micro-adenomas in the resected right adrenal tissue. Aldosterone to renin ratio was as high as 1380 at 22 days following the surgery. Therefore, aldosteronoma originated from the adrenohepatic fusion that remained on the inner side of the liver was highly suspected. The patient’s blood pressure was well controlled, and she did not prefer hepatectomy to be further performed, and therefore, medical therapy was continued. When planning the type of surgery (laparoscopic or open) in these potentially confusing cases, it might be necessary to consider a possibility of the unexpected intraoperative diagnosis and the immediate measures to be performed based on the diagnosis.