title: Corticosterone secreting adrenal carcinoma and empty sella turcica: a case report.
abstract: Pituitary adenoma was suspected in a woman of 74 with hypercorticism,hypokalaemic alkalosis and radiographically enlarged sella turcica. However, non-suppressibility of steroid excretion by high-dose dexamethasone and low plasma concentration of ACTH suggested adrenal tumour. Detailed analysis of urinary steroid excretions demonstrated unusually large amounts of corticosterone metabolites, 14.6 mg/24 h compared to a mean normal value of 0.5 mg. The basal levels of the remaining pituitary hormones were unremarkable. The patient died incidentally before a planned adrenalectomy. The autopsy disclosed an adrenal carcinoma and an empty sella turcica. The enlarged pituitary fossa was lined by a narrow rim of histological normal pituitary tissue.
mesh_terms: D015068:17-Ketosteroids / Q000652:urine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015068:17-Ketosteroids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone