Histochemical investigation of aldosterone-secreting cells adenoma of the adrenal cortex.

Two cases of adenomas of adrenal cortex were examined. Both cases presented clinical symptoms of autonomic hyperaldosteronism. Histologically one adenoma had a benign structure, the other a malignant one. An ultrastructural and cytochemical assay of the benign form suggests that it is composed of so called "hybrid cells". Histochemically the cells of both adenomas were characterized by a 3-beta hydroxysteroid and succinic dehydrogenase reaction, the presence of MAO and nonspecific esterases and in some single cells 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.