Leydigcelhyperplasie: een zeldzame oorzaak van hyperandrogenisme bij een menopauzale vrouw

Abstract

Leydig cell hyperplasia: an atypical cause of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism We present a case of a 64-year old postmenopausal patient with new onset hirsutism, acne and clitoromegaly. Her medical history includes a non-secreting adrenal incidentaloma. Biochemical evaluation withheld an elevated testosterone with normal dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). Other adrenal biochemical tests were normal and adrenal imaging was unaltered. Imaging of the ovaries was unremarkable. Due to the normal DHEAS, ovarian etiology was suspected, for which a bilateral oophorectomy was performed. Pathological examination showed bilateral Leydig cell hyperplasia, a benign though rare cause of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism. Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism is caused by of a group of gynaecological and endocrinological disorders. In case of rapid onset and severe symptoms of hirsutism or virilization an androgen-secreting neoplastic disorder should be suspected. Normal DHEAS is suggestive for an ovarian etiology. Imaging is necessary to differentiate between adrenal and ovarian causes, though normal imaging of the ovaries does not rule out ovarian pathology. Definitive diagnosis is often based on pathological examination after oophorectomy.