Adrenal tuberculosis as a cause of primary adrenal insufficiency--case report
Jedrzejowski, M.; Grzesiuk, Wław.; Pawlik-Pachucka, E.; Jankowski, Mław.; Lewandowska, K.; Krasnodebski, W.; Bar-Andziak, E.
Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego 19(110): 193-195
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1426-9686 PMID: 16245432 Document Number: 587442
Adrenal tuberculosis is relatively infrequent cause of primary adrenocortical insufficiency in developed countries. Adrenal involvement is most often the result of hematogenous spread of the pulmonary tuberculosis. Isolated adrenal tuberculosis, especially with enlargement of adrenal glands can cause diagnostic problems and requires differentiation from primary or secondary neoplastic disease. In this paper we present a case of 61-year-old man with several months history of adrenocortical insufficiency without signs of pulmonary tuberculosis. Computed tomography scan revealed asymmetrical mass-like enlargement in adrenal glands. Despite of consecutive investigations, the diagnosis remained uncertain. Because of the possibility of neoplastic process of unknown origin, the patient was qualified for surgical exploration during which both enlarged glands were removed. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made on microscopic examination.