1.
Aldosterone-producing
adenomas were located before operation in eighteen patients by comparison of
aldosterone concentrations in blood obtained by percutaneous catheterization of the adrenal vein or renal vein. The concentration of
aldosterone in the venous effluent from the adrenal glands containing
adenomas was significantly greater than in the venous effluent from contralateral glands. 2. Cathetherization of the adrenal vein is, however, technically difficult. The location of adrenal
adenomas was also possible by analysis of blood from the renal vein. 3. If the concentrations of
aldosterone in blood from the left renal vein were higher than those from the right, the existence of a left adrenal
adenoma was suggested. A high value in plasma, obtained from the inferior vena cava above the entry of the right adrenal vein, showed a right adrenal
adenoma. This procedure identified very small functional
adenomas which could not be demonstrated radiographically, or seen or palpated at surgery. 4. It was concluded that differential
aldosterone measurement after percutaneous bilateral adrenal vein or renal vein catheterization can be used as a definitive test for the location of an
aldosterone-producing
adenoma, where this is uncertain.