Adrenal black adenoma associated with Cushing's syndrome

EREM C., HACIHASANOGLU A., CINEL A., COBANOGLU U., ERSOZ H., AHMETOGLU A., ...More

ENDOCRINE, vol.25, no.3, pp.253-257, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 25 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1385/endo:25:3:253
  • Journal Name: ENDOCRINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.253-257
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We report a case of adrenal black adenoma associated with Cushing's syndrome. A 41 -yr-old man presented to our hospital with a 6-yr history of severe hypertension and general fatigue, and a 1 -mo history of diabetes mellitus. Physical examination disclosed cushing-oid manifestations. His serum cortisol concentrations ranged from 14.0 to 15.4 mu g/dL, with an ACTH level < 5 pg/mL. Urinary free cortisol level was increased (125 mu g/d). Cortisol was not suppressed on the overnight 1 mg oral dexamethasone suppression test (DST), 2-d low dose DST, and 2-d high-dose DST. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed a solid round tumor approx 3 cm in diameter, located in the left adrenal gland. Left adrenalectomy was performed; the surgical specimen revealed a black adenoma consisting of compact cells within numerous pigments that seemed to be lipofuscin in nature.