A Case of Cushing's Syndrome Noticed Because of Growth Disturbance

Abstract

An 11-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital for the investigation of short stature and obesity (Ht. 129.9 cm, BW. 38.4 kg). She was suspected of having Cushing's syndrome because of clinical features (moon face, hypertension, buffalo hump and hirsutism). On admission plasma ACTH level was low (<10pg/ml) and plasma cortisol was not suppressed by the administration of either low or high doses of dexamethasone. Abdominal CT and MR imaging revealed a left adrenal tumor and adrenectomy was performed. Growth hormone (GH) secretion was tested and found to be low before the operation. On the other hand the somatomedin C level was normal. After the operation her growth velocity was increased; however, GH secretion remained low and the somatomedin C level was unchanged. The mechanism of growth disturbance in Cushing's syndrome is still unclear.