[Cushing syndrome with occult ectopic ACTH production].
A 19-year old patient was admitted to our hospital with the typical stigmata of a prolonged Cushing's syndrome. He presented first at another hospital with elevated ACTH values and the diagnosis of pituitary Cushing's syndrome was made. A partial hypophysectomy was performed, but neither this nor a therapy with ketokonazole could influence the cortisol levels. Because of this background the diagnosis of ectopic ACTH-production was established. Since we were not able to locate a source of ACTH, we recommended a bilateral adrenalectomy, after which the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome disappeared within a few months. About one year after the operation a CT-scan demonstrated an intrapulmonary mass, which was removed surgically. There were neither signs of local infiltration nor of lymphogenic metastasis. The histological and immunhistochemical diagnosis was typical of bronchial carcinoid with ACTH-production. The follow up so far did not reveal a recurrence.
D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed