Simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent macronodular adrenal hyerplasia: report of a case.

Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is an extremely rare disease, which shows bilateral macronodular adrenal hypertrophy and autonomous cortisol production. We herein report a case of AIMAH treated successfully by minimally invasive simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A 73-year-old woman with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis was referred to our hospital because of an incidentally found huge bilateral adrenal mass. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed large bilateral adrenal glands with multiple nodules. A diagnosis of AIMAH was made and a simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was thus performed. The total operation time was 310 min and blood loss was 70 g. Both glands were hypertrophic (right 5 x 3 cm, 48.5 g and left 4 x 2 cm, 39.2 g) and consisted of multiple golden yellow macronodules. The postoperative course was uneventful. A simultaneous bilateral adrenalectomy for AIMAH performed by an experienced surgical team is therefore considered to be a safe and minimally invasive procedure.