Pseudoprimary aldosteronism from the topical application of 9-alpha-fluorprednisolone to the skin.

A 56 year old man presented with hypertension, hypokalemia and depressed plasma renin activity. Plasma aldosterone was normal, but was considered inappropriate in the presence of hypokalemia. An adrenal scan showed unilateral uptake of 131I-cholesterol and a presumptive diagnosis of adrenal adenoma was made. At surgery, no adenoma was found. Instead, the adrenal was atrophic, and in this case also contained caseating granulomas. Postoperative plasma aldosterone values were consistently normal and adrenocortical insufficiency was ruled out. On requestioning, the patient admitted long-term topical use of a skin cream containing 9-alpha-fluorprednisolone. Withdrawal of the fluorprednisolone cream led to normalization of blood pressure and serum potassium, and on renewed contact with the drug, hypertension and hypokalemia reappeared. The patient is now normotensive and normokalemic after permanent discontinuation of the cream. Topical cutaneous application of 9-alpha-fluorprednisolone can induce a syndrome closely mimicking primary aldosteronism. A high degree of suspicion and adequate history taking are critical for the appropriate management of such patients and the avoidance of unnecessary or dangerous procedures.