Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pheochromocytoma presented as Cushing syndrome and complicated by invasive aspergillosis.
10.12701/yujm.2015.32.2.132
- Author:
Jae Ho CHO
1
;
Da Eun JEONG
;
Jae Young LEE
;
Jong Geol JANG
;
Jun Sung MOON
;
Mi Jin KIM
;
Ji Sung YOON
;
Kyu Chang WON
;
Hyoung Woo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea. lhw5809@ynu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
ACTH syndrome;
Ectopic;
Cushing syndrome;
Pheochromocytoma;
Aspergillosis
- MeSH:
Adrenal Glands;
Adrenalectomy;
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone*;
Adult;
Aspergillosis*;
Biochemistry;
Biopsy, Needle;
Central Nervous System;
Cushing Syndrome*;
Dexamethasone;
Electrons;
Female;
Humans;
Hydrocortisone;
Inflammation;
Critical Care;
Lung;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Metanephrine;
Opportunistic Infections;
Pheochromocytoma*;
Plasma;
Retina
- From:Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine
2015;32(2):132-137
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pheochromocytoma has been rarely reported, whereas only a few cases of Cushing syndrome accompanied by opportunistic infections have been reported. We experienced a patient with pheochromocytoma with ectopic Cushing syndrome complicated by invasive aspergillosis. A 35-year-old woman presented with typical Cushingoid features. Her basal plasma cortisol, ACTH, and 24-hour urine free cortisol levels were significantly high, and 24-hour urine metanephrine and catecholamine levels were slightly elevated. The endogeneous cortisol secretion was not suppressed by either low- or high-dose dexamethasone. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous enhancing mass measuring approximately 2.5 cm in size in the left adrenal gland. No definitive mass lesion was observed on sellar magnetic resonance imaging. On fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT, a hypermetabolic nodule was observed in the left upper lung. Thus, we performed a percutaneous needle biopsy, which revealed inflammation, not malignancy. Thereafter, we performed a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy, and its pathologic finding was a pheochromocytoma with positive immunohistostaining for ACTH. After surgery, the biochemistry was normalized, but the clinical course was fatal despite intensive care because of the invasive aspergillosis that included the lungs, retina, and central nervous system.
