Virilization caused by an ectopic adrenal tumor located behind the iliopsoas muscle.
OBJECTIVE
Virilization due to androgen-secreting neoplasms in women is a result of androgen overproduction from benign or malignant tumors that are found in the ovaries or rarely in the adrenal glands. Virilizing tumors that arise from ectopic adrenal tissue are extremely rare. We describe a very rare case of an ectopic androgen-producing adrenal tumor.


METHODS
Case report study.


METHODS
Endocrinology outpatient department of university-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
A 45-year-old woman with symptoms of virilization of abrupt onset and rapid progression, with high serum androgen hormone levels and normal glucocorticoid secretion.


METHODS
Basal hormonal levels, stimulation and suppression tests, imaging techniques, and selective venous sampling.


METHODS
Localization and surgical removal of the source of androgen production.


RESULTS
An ectopic mass was detected behind the left iliopsoas muscle. The patient was operated on and an oblong-shaped lesion, weighing 6 g, was removed. Histologically, the tissue was identified to be of adrenal origin. Postoperatively the androgen levels decreased to normal levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates difficulties in detecting and localizing the rare contingence of an ectopic adrenocortical androgen-secreting tumor.
Mavroudis
Konstantinos
K
2nd Department of Endocrinology, Alexandra Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Aloumanis
Kyriakos
K
Papapetrou
Peter D
PD
Voros
Dionisios
D
Spanos
Iraklis
I
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D014770:Virilism / Q000209:etiology*