Adrenal Imaging in Patients with Endocrine Hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the commonest chronic diseases contributing to cardiovascular disease. Idiopathic (primary) hypertension accounts for approximately 85% of the diagnosed cases, and 15% of hypertensive patients have other contributing conditions leading to elevated blood pressure (secondary hypertension). Endocrine hypertension is a common secondary cause of hypertension. The most common causes of endocrine hypertension are excess production of mineralocorticoids (ie, primary hyperaldosteronism), glucocorticoids (Cushing syndrome), and catecholamines (pheochromocytoma). After biochemical confirmation of hormonal excess, appropriate use of imaging modalities, both functional and anatomic, should occur for the diagnostic workup of these patients and for location of the source of hormonal excess.