Adrenal cysts are rare; most lack endocrinologic activity and do not p
roduce clinical symptoms. The present case is the first to be reported
with both an adrenal cyst and a functioning adenoma present ipsilater
ally. This 39-year-old male with hypertension was diagnosed as having
primary aldosteronism as reflected by hypokalemia and an excess plasma
aldosterone concentration (PAC). However, examination by computed tom
ography revealed a grossly enlarged left adrenal gland with a cyst-lik
e lesion. The right adrenal appeared normal. At surgery, an adenoma an
d a cyst were found to coexist in the left adrenal cortex. The cyst fl
uid contained three times the amount of aldosterone present in plasma,
less than in previous reports, and was considered to lack endocrinolo
gic activity. Following a left adrenectomy, the patient's blood pressu
re, serum potassium concentration, and PAC all normalized without the
need for medical treatment.