Ablation for Aldosterone-Producing versus Cortisol-Producing Adrenal Adenomas: A Comprehensive Review.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation is widely used to treat functioning benign adrenal tumors in patients who are unable to undergo adrenalectomy. Aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) are major indications for RFA. However, APA is treated more often with RFA than CPA in published literature. Accordingly, the RFA outcomes of APA are well known; however, those of CPA are not. There are rare investigations dealing with why APA is preferred to CPA with RFA. Many interventional radiologists may not be familiar with differences between APA and CPA. The purpose of this review is to discuss clinical, pathological, radiological, RFA, and outcome differences between APA and CPA treatment.