Central Precocious Puberty Secondary to Adrenocortical Adenoma in a Female Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

BackgroundPediatric adrenocortical tumors are rare but significant causes of virilization and peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). CaseA 4-year-old girl presented with development of breast, pubic hair, and facial acne. Her bone age was advanced, and her gonadotropin level did not elevate in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test. High levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, and testosterone, and detection of a tumor in the left adrenal gland of the abdomen using computed tomography led to a diagnosis of PPP due to adrenal tumor. Adrenal adenoma was diagnosed with pathology after the tumor was removed. Ultrasonography detected multicystic ovaries before surgery. Although the androgen levels decreased, high estrogen levels persisted after complete tumor resection. Approximately 1 year after the surgery, the patient's breast development persisted, bone age progressed rapidly, and gonadotropin levels increased in a GnRH test. Central precocious puberty was diagnosed, and treatment with GnRH analogues was started. Summary and ConclusionAdrenal adenoma might present with isosexual PPP as well as virilization in girls. The ovaries should be carefully assessed in these patients. Prolonged exposure to androgen and estrogen might cause ovarian multicysts leading to persistence of high estrogen levels and initiation of central precocious puberty.