Pituitary Tumor Detected After Adrenalectomy for Cushing's Syndrome

Abstract

SINCE adrenal steroids have become available for substitution therapy, total adrenalectomy constitutes the choice treatment for certain forms of Cushing's syndrome. However, this radical therapy, although curative, is followed by new problems and complications. It is the purpose of this communication to describe a patient who, following a bilateral total adrenalectomy for nontumorous Cushing syndrome, developed a pituitary tumor which secreted melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and ACTH. Report of a Case At the age of 14 the patient stopped menstruating for six months following her immigration to Israel from Rumania. No treatment was given and her menstrual flow returned to normal. Three years later she noticed progressive gain of weight and increasing facial and body hair growth. She first sought medical advice in another institution in 1958 at the age of 21 years. At that time her weight was 80 kg (176 lb) and her height, 156 cm (61.6 inches).