This presentation concerns itself with three facets of the syndrome of primary aldosteronism: (1) an analysis of the variability of the clinical and biochemical manifestations together with currently conceived diagnostic criteria, (2) the overall results of surgical removal of aldosteronomas, and (3) some important aspects of differential diagnosis.
From an analysis of 145 cases it is found that muscle weakness, nocturnal polyuria, headache, and polydipsia are the four most common symptoms. Of interest is the virtual absence in males of paresthesias, intermittent paralysis, and tetany as compared with the females.
All patients have had hypertension, half of them exhibiting relatively