Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Adrenocortical Hyperfunction”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources

Effect of hypercortisolism and ACTH on the metabolism of cortisol.

The effects of hypercortisolemia and ACTH on the metabolism of cortisol in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, and exogenous ACTH and cortisol administration were investigated by analysis of the respective urinary tetrahydro-metabolites of cortisol (THF and aTHF) and cortisone (THE) by capillary gas chromatography. The results for the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia establish that ACTH hypersecretion in the absence of an associated marked elevation of plasma cortisol does not cause inhibition of the 11beta-OHSD enzyme. In contrast elevated plasma cortisol levels (adrenal adenoma or intravenous cortisol administration) in the presence of suppressed ACTH secretion leads to significant inhibition of the peripheral conversion of cortisol to cortisone. The latter results are equivalent to the mode of cortisol metabolism noted during clinical states of ACTH hypersecretion and hypercortisolemia (Cushing's disease, ectopic ACTH syndrome and ACTH administration). The overall findings provide convincing evidence that ACTH hypersecretion is not associated with specific in vivo inhibition of 11beta-OHSD enzyme activity.

ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic↗

[Supra-renal venography in patients with suspected endocrine hypertension (author's transl)].

In forty patients suspected clinically of having an endocrine cause for hypertension, an adrenal cortical adenoma was confirmed histologically in five. Hyperaldosteronism with enlarged or normal adrenals was demonstrated in three patients. The diagnosis in a further eight patients with an abnormal hormone pattern and/or an abnormal venogram has not yet been confirmed. Adrenal glands show considerable variation in their size, shape and localisation on venography.

Adenoma↗

CRH and lysine-vasopressin stimulation tests in the diagnosis of hypoadrenalism secondary to hypothalamic or pituitary disorders.

Ten patients with secondary hypoadrenalism have been tested with corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and lysine-vasopressin (LVP). One patient had isolated ACTH deficiency; 9 had deficiency of other pituitary hormones attributable to a primary pituitary disease in 3 and to an hypothalamic disorder in 6. After CRH administration, a definite increase in plasma ACTH was observed in all 6 patients with hypothalamic disorder. No response was elicited in the 3 patients with pituitary disease and in the patient with isolated ACTH deficiency. In the responsive patients. ACTH showed a delayed and prolonged pattern of response. Lysine-vasopressin administration produced an increase in plasma ACTH in 4 of the 6 hypothalamic patients and no response in those with pituitary disease and in the patient with isolated ACTH deficiency. These findings suggest that CRH represents a reliable test in differentiating hypothalamic from pituitary adrenal failure; LVP appeared a less sensitive diagnostic test.

Adolescent↗

[Subclinical hypercortisolism in incidentally detected adrenal adenoma].

AIM OF STUDY: To define in a prospective study the prevalence and manifestations of subclinical hypercortisolism in a sizeable group of patients with incidentally detected adrenal adenoma. Such tumour - although usually clinically silent - may cause discrete endocrine dysfunctions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1994, 85 consecutive patients with incidentally discovered adrenal adenoma were investigated (54 women, 31 men; mean age 54.1 +/- 13 [24-81] years). In addition to history and clinical examination all patients had a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (2mg) and their morning basal plasma ACTH concentration was measured. The diagnosis of subclinical hypercortisolism was made if there was inadequate suppression of cortisol after dexamethasone administration, plasma ACTH level was decreased and there were no clinical signs of Cushing's syndrome. RESULTS: Five of the patients fulfilled the criteria of subclinical hypercortisolism (prevalence of 6%). One of them had oligomenorrhoea, another arterial hypertension, and three had mild histological proof of adrenal adenoma. Postoperatively the patient with oligomenorrhoea had normal menstrual cycles, while in all others with subclinical hypercortisolism excision of the tumour had no influence of their clinical state. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypercortisolism is rare, but is one of the most common endocrine disorders in patients with incidental adrenal adenoma. It can be diagnosed only by hormonal analysis. Once the latent cortisol excess has been eliminated, those symptoms which are due to hormonal abnormality may regress, but nonspecific signs, such as obesity or hypertension, may not necessarily improve.

Adenoma↗

Diagnostic problems and operative treatment of pituitary microadenomas.

Over an average observation period of 53 months 26 patients with endocrinological active microadenoma of the hypophysis (12 M. Cushing, 14 acromegaly) were retrospectively examined. Only in 11 cases did the CT-examination demonstrate intrasellar tumour expansion. Both the problems of and the criteria for CT-diagnosis of microadenoma were demonstrated. In 22 cases (84%) the microsurgical transsphenoidal exstirpation of the adenoma led to an adequate reduction in both ACTH and HGH. No postoperative deterioration of the other hypophysial functions was seen. It could be further demonstrated that where the surgical therapy failed local radiation therapy with high voltage radiation of the hypophysis region led to a reduction of the abnormal hormone secretion. The comparism of our results with those reported in the literature led us to suggest a combined therapy concept in which the indication for operative, conservative and radiation therapy is delineated.

Acromegaly↗

[Bilateral massive macronodular adrenal gland hyperplasia. A rare cause of Cushing's syndrome].

A 46-year-old man with known arterial hypertension for 10 years had, over the last two years, developed increasing obesity, particularly of the trunk, with other symptoms typical of Cushing's syndrome. Hormone analysis demonstrated hypercortisolism and decreased plasma ACTH concentration. The dexamethasone inhibition test failed to show any significant suppression of serum cortisol. Plasma ACTH was not increased in the corticotrophin-releasing hormone and the metyrapone tests. In the short ACTH test there was an excessive cortisol increase. Abdominal computed tomography revealed both adrenals to be enlarged (6 x 4 cm) and coarsely nodular. Adrenolytic treatment with ketoconazole (400 mg daily) caused symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, but a reduced dosage of 200 mg daily lowered the cortisol level to between 5 and 11 micrograms/dl and normalized the blood pressure and clinical signs of Cushing's syndrome disappeared. Subsequent bilateral adrenalectomy confirmed the diagnosis of massive macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. Substitution treatment with twice daily 25 mg cortisone acetate and 0.05 mg fludrocortisone was started postoperatively.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗