title: Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome: localization studies in 28 patients.
abstract: A variety of imaging procedures were performed in 28 patients with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome in an attempt to localize the ACTH-producing tumor. Diagnosis was made on the basis of removal of an ACTH-producing tumor or biopsy of metastases in the 19 patients with a proved source and the absence of ACTH gradients in bilateral samples of the inferior petrosal sinuses in the nine patients in whom an ACTH-secreting tumor had not been localized. Eleven bronchial carcinoids, two thymic carcinoids, three pheochromocytomas, and three islet-cell tumors constituted the proved sources. The condition has been cured in eight patients, six are alive with residual tumor, and five have died. Of the nine patients with undetected sites of ACTH production, one has died of pneumocystis pneumonia and eight are being treated medically or with bilateral adrenalectomy. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen was the most helpful study in the detection of these tumors. Selective arteriography (bronchial and visceral), systemic and portal venous sampling, and iodine-131 meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy failed to demonstrate tumors when findings at CT were negative. Bronchial carcinoids constituted most of the ACTH-secreting tumors in this study (58%) and in a review of four large series (47%). To assure early detection of these potentially malignant tumors, pulmonary CT should be performed every 6 months, even after hypercortisolism has been medically or surgically controlled.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Radiology Department, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Doppman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nieman
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Pass
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaaf
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ziessman
mesh_terms: D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002550:Cerebral Veins; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009384:Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone