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Aldosterone-Producing Adrenal Cortical Adenoma with Oncocytic Change and Cytoplasmic Eosinophilic Globular Inclusions

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Abstract

We report an interesting morphological alteration in the adrenal of a 72-year-old woman suffering from severe hypertension due to primary hyperaldosteronism. The laparoscopic left adrenalectomy specimen revealed an adrenal cortical adenoma composed of varying proportions of oncocytic and clear cells, predominantly showing central oncocytic change. Oncocytes also exhibited numerous eosinophilic intracytoplasmic globular inclusions, which are not commonly observed in aldosterone-producing adrenal cortical adenomas. Ultrastructural study revealed that the inclusions originated in degenerating mitochondria, explaining their association with the oncocytic phenotype of the tumor.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank Mr. Sheer Ramjohn for his technical help with the electron microscopic sample.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, 11th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada

    Ozgur Mete & Sylvia L. Asa

  2. Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozgur Mete

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  1. Ozgur Mete
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  2. Sylvia L. Asa
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Correspondence to Ozgur Mete.

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Mete, O., Asa, S.L. Aldosterone-Producing Adrenal Cortical Adenoma with Oncocytic Change and Cytoplasmic Eosinophilic Globular Inclusions. Endocr Pathol 20, 182–185 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-009-9082-2

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