CT-Guided acetic acid injection therapy for aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma: a preliminary report of three cases

Endocr J. 2000 Apr;47(2):185-9. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.47.185.

Abstract

We reported the preliminary outcomes of CT-guided percutaneous injection therapy for aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma (APA). Five sessions of injection therapy, 4 percutaneous acetic acid injections (PAI) and 1 percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) were performed in 3 patients with APA. A small amount of acetic acid or ethanol solution was injected via a needle placed precisely inside the tumor. The procedure was frequently monitored by repetitive CT scanning. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 27 months. After the treatment, hypertension was normalized or controlled by a low dose of conventional anti-hypertensive drug. In 2 of 3 cases the plasma aldosterone levels were normalized. Although temporary symptoms of alcoholic intoxication were observed in the single session of PEI, the 4 sessions of PAI were associated with no adverse symptoms or complications. Although this study covers only short-term results in 3 patients, CT-guided PAI appears to be a safe and effective treatment and may be a promising alternative as a simple and far less invasive therapy for APA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Acetic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Adenoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aldosterone / biosynthesis*
  • Aldosterone / blood
  • Blood Pressure
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Ethanol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Ethanol
  • Aldosterone
  • Acetic Acid