Secondary Hypertension due to a Renin-secreting Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumor

A juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JCT) is a rare, renin-secreting tumor of the kidney and can cause hypertension. JCT is pathologically benign, and resection of the tumor is curative for hypertension. We report the case of a 17-year-old girl who had hypertension and hypokalemia for 1 year. Laboratory st...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shih-Yi Lin, Wayne-Young Liu, Wen-Chi Chen, Rong-Hsing Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2010-03-01
Series:Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664610600472
Description
Summary:A juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JCT) is a rare, renin-secreting tumor of the kidney and can cause hypertension. JCT is pathologically benign, and resection of the tumor is curative for hypertension. We report the case of a 17-year-old girl who had hypertension and hypokalemia for 1 year. Laboratory studies showed increased basal plasma renin activity, but normal serum aldosterone level. Abdominal computed tomography disclosed a 2 cm solid mass in the left kidney. However, renal vein sampling and captopril test results were equivocal. Partial nephrectomy was performed and histologic examination demonstrated typical features of JCT. Hypertension and hypokalemia completely resolved postoperatively. JCT should be considered when investigating hypertensive individuals with high plasma renin activity.
ISSN:0929-6646