A Suggested Test for Functional Cortical Adrenal Tumor

Abstract

A clinical syndrome characterized by facial and trunk obesity, hirsutism, pig eyes, either persistently high blood pressure or attacks of hypertension, amenorrhea or menstrual irregularity, pinkish skin striae, rarefaction in the bones, polycythemia, acrocyanosis of extremities and susceptibility to infection, has attracted increasing attention, particularly since Cushing described basophilic adenoma as a probable cause.1 Previously a number of these cases had been found due to cortical adenoma or adrenal tumor.2 It might readily be conceived, as suggested by Cushing, that a pituitary overfunction, perhaps limited to the basophilic type of cells, might secondarily produce cortical adrenal changes.A typical case, diagnosed as “basophilic adenoma” was under my observation in my clinic and laboratory for 1 1/2 years during which time thorough hormonal studies were performed with extremely striking findings. This patient died suddenly (on the service of Dr. B. S. Oppenheimer) in consequence of an erysipelas s...