Corticosterone secreting adrenal carcinoma and empty sella turcica: a case report
Krølner, B.; Larsen, S.; Nielsen, M.D.
Acta Endocrinologica 91(4): 650-656
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5598 PMID: 227203 Document Number: 140427
A pituitary adenoma was suspected in a woman of 74 with hypercorticism, hypokalemic alkalosis and radiographically enlarged sella turcica. Non-suppressibility of steroid excretion by high-dose dexamethasone and low plasma concentration of ACTH suggested adrenal tumor. Detailed analysis of urinary steroid excretions demonstrated unusually large amounts of corticosterone metabolites, 14.6 mg/24 h compared to a mean normal value of 0.5 mg. The basal levels of the remaining pituitary hormones were unremarkable. The patient died incidentally before a planned adrenalectomy. The autopsy disclosed an adrenal carcinoma and an empty sella turcica. The enlarged pituitary fossa was lined by a narrow rim of histological normal pituitary tissue.