A patient with recurrent hypercortisolism after removal of an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma due to an adrenal macronodule

A 41-yr-old female was referred for signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome. Cortisol was not suppressed by 1 mg dexamethasone (0.41 μmol/l). Midnight cortisol and ACTH were 0.44 μmol/l and 18 pmol/l, respectively. Urinary cortisol excretion was 250 nmol/24 h (normal between 30 and 150 nmol/24 h). A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a pituitary lesion of 7 mm. ACTH and cortisol levels were unaltered by administration of human CRH and high-dose dexamethasone. Inferior sinus petrosus sampling showed CRH-stimulated ACTH levels of 128.4 (left sinus) vs a peripheral level of 19.2 pmol/l, indicating Cushing’s disease. After 4 months of pre-treatment with metyrapone and dexamethasone, endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of an ACTH-positive pituitary adenoma was performed. ACTH levels decreased to 2.6 pmol/l and fasting cortisol was 0.35 μmol/l. Despite clinical regression of Cushing’s syndrome and normalization of urinary cortisol, cortisol was not suppressed by 1 mg dexamethasone (0.30 μmol/l). Ten months post-operatively, signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome reoccurred. A high dose dexamethasone test according to Liddle resulted in undetectable ACTH, but no suppression of cortisol levels, pointing towards adrenal-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Computed tomography (CT)-scanning showed a left-sided adrenal macronodule. Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy revealed a cortical macronodule (3.5 cm) surrounded by micronodular hyperplasia. Fasting cortisol had decreased to 0.02 μmol/l. Glucocorticoid suppletion was started and tapered over 12 months. Symptoms and signs of hypercortisolism gradually disappeared. This case illustrates, that longstanding ACTH stimulation by a pituitary adenoma can induce unilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with autonomous cortisol production.