title: The ectopic ACTH syndrome and superior vena cava obstruction due to a malignant carcinoid tumour of the thymus.
abstract: We report the case of a 28-year-old African Caribbean woman with Cushing's syndrome and superior vena cava obstruction secondary to an ACTH-secreting carcinoid tumour of the thymus. The case highlights the problems which may be encountered in performing the 2-day high dose dexamethasone suppression test but clinicians are reminded that this test or any other dynamic test is absolutely essential for elucidating the cause of ACTH-dependent Cushing's Syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wright-Pascoe
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis