CUSHING'S SYNDROME WITH ATYPICAL BIOCHEMICAL RESULTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT A case of Cushing's syndrome is described with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Basal excretion of urinary total 17-OHCS and 17-KS were within the normal range, but the excretion of 17-OHCS was not suppressed by 16 mg dexamethasone daily in divided doses for five days. The adrenal glands were stimulated normally by corticotrophin and the hypophysis by cortisol lack. The blood corticotrophin was estimated to be not significantly different from the levels found in normal persons. It is concluded that the failure of suppression indicates either that the adrenal glands were functioning in part autonomously or more likely that the pituitary corticotrophin regulating mechanism was more completely disturbed than is usually found in Cushing's syndrome, due to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia.