ABSTRACT
Conn’s syndrome is autonomous secretion of aldosterone, resulting in hyperaldosteronism. The two primary causes are adrenal adenoma and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Treatment for adenoma is surgery; treatment for hyperplasia is spironolactone.
Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor. Classic presentation is headache, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and hypertension. Treatment is surgery.
Adrenal cortical carcinoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy. Up to 80% are functional and may secrete cortisol and/or androgens. Treatment is surgery. Prognosis is poor.
Cancers that most commonly metastasize to the adrenals include kidney, melanoma, breast, and lung.
Cushing’s syndrome is caused by an excess of circulating glucocorticoids and presents with hypertension, glucose intolerance, muscle wasting, thin skin, hirsutism, moon facies, buffalo hump, and easy bruisability. It may be ACTH-independent or -dependent. Treatment depends upon etiology.
Acute adrenal insufficiency requires urgent intervention.
Adrenal incidentaloma is a mass detected in a patient who undergoes abdominal imaging for reasons unrelated to the adrenal. Approximately 80% of incidentalomas are non-functioning adenomas.
