Purpose <p>While primary aldosteronism (PA) is typically screened in hypertensive patients, normotensive PA remains underrecognized, especially in complex cases where standard diagnostic approaches fail. We present a challenging case of normotensive PA complicated by myasthenia gravis (MG) requiring chronic glucocorticoids, which interfere with conventional cortisol-based adrenal venous sampling (AVS) interpretation. This case highlights the pivotal role of <sup>68</sup>Ga-pentixafor PET/CT as an innovative alternative for subtype differentiation in such complex scenarios.</p> Methods <p>A 30-year-old normotensive woman with MG (on long-term glucocorticoids) was incidentally found to have a left adrenal adenoma. Biochemical testing confirmed PA (elevated ARR, positive captopril challenge test and saline infusion test). Due to glucocorticoid interference with AVS interpretation, <sup>68</sup>Ga-pentixafor PET/CT was utilized for precise localization. We further reviewed literature on alternative diagnostic strategies for PA when conventional cortisol-based AVS interpretation is compromised.</p> Results <p><sup>68</sup>Ga-pentixafor PET/CT successfully localized the aldosterone-producing adenoma, guiding laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, the patient achieved complete biochemical remission (normalized ARR and potassium). To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of <sup>68</sup>Ga-pentixafor PET/CT for PA subtype diagnosis in a glucocorticoid-dependent normotensive patient, offering a paradigm for similar challenging cases.</p> Conclusions <p>For PA patients with confounding factors affecting cortisol-based AVS interpretation (e.g., chronic glucocorticoid use), <sup>68</sup>Ga-pentixafor PET/CT emerges as a robust non-invasive alternative for accurate subtype differentiation. This case provides a novel diagnostic framework for complex PA presentations, advocating for tailored imaging strategies to overcome traditional limitations.</p>

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Normotensive primary aldosteronism in a patient with myasthenia gravis: a localization diagnostic conundrum unraveled by 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT - a case report with review of literature

  • Jin-Liang Chen,
  • Jiu-Dan Zhang,
  • Xiao-Xiao Song,
  • Shriya Sanan,
  • Yi-Ming Zhao

摘要

Purpose

While primary aldosteronism (PA) is typically screened in hypertensive patients, normotensive PA remains underrecognized, especially in complex cases where standard diagnostic approaches fail. We present a challenging case of normotensive PA complicated by myasthenia gravis (MG) requiring chronic glucocorticoids, which interfere with conventional cortisol-based adrenal venous sampling (AVS) interpretation. This case highlights the pivotal role of 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT as an innovative alternative for subtype differentiation in such complex scenarios.

Methods

A 30-year-old normotensive woman with MG (on long-term glucocorticoids) was incidentally found to have a left adrenal adenoma. Biochemical testing confirmed PA (elevated ARR, positive captopril challenge test and saline infusion test). Due to glucocorticoid interference with AVS interpretation, 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT was utilized for precise localization. We further reviewed literature on alternative diagnostic strategies for PA when conventional cortisol-based AVS interpretation is compromised.

Results

68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT successfully localized the aldosterone-producing adenoma, guiding laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, the patient achieved complete biochemical remission (normalized ARR and potassium). To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT for PA subtype diagnosis in a glucocorticoid-dependent normotensive patient, offering a paradigm for similar challenging cases.

Conclusions

For PA patients with confounding factors affecting cortisol-based AVS interpretation (e.g., chronic glucocorticoid use), 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT emerges as a robust non-invasive alternative for accurate subtype differentiation. This case provides a novel diagnostic framework for complex PA presentations, advocating for tailored imaging strategies to overcome traditional limitations.