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CASE REPORT
Florid hyperandrogenism due to a benign adrenocortical adenoma
  1. Melanie LaVoie1,
  2. Vasilis Constantinides2,
  3. Noel Robin3,
  4. Angelos Kyriacou4
  1. 1Internal Medicine Residency, Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
  2. 2Surgery Department, Evangelistria Clinic, Engomi, Cyprus
  3. 3Internal Medicine Department, Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
  4. 4Endocrinologist, Centre of Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, Limassol, Cyprus
  1. Correspondence to Dr Melanie LaVoie, mbl5042{at}gmail.com

Summary

A 26-year-old woman with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome presented with secondary amenorrhea, worsening hirsutism, acne, deepening of voice and unexplained 10–20 kg weight gain. Her Ferriman-Gallway hirsutism score was 12 with cystic facial acne and increased masculine phenotype. Urine Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropins (bHCG) was negative. She had elevated serum testosterone of 551 ng/dL, androstenedione at 7.46 ng/mL and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) at 4243 µg/L. Overnight dexamethasone suppression test showed mildly unsuppressed cortisol (2.89 µg/dL). Urinary free cortisol along with paired serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) tests were normal (55.4 µg/24 hours, 13.44 mcg/dL, 30.4 pg/mL respectively). Her leutinizing hormone (LH) was low(<0.1 mIU/mL), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) low/normal (1.41 mIU/mL) with sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) level 45nmol/L and the rest of the pituitary and adrenal workup was unremarkable. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was 2.15mU/mL. MRI revealed a 3.1 cm, indeterminate but well-defined left adrenal lesion and polycystic ovaries without abdominal lymphadenopathy. Given radiological appearances and despite biochemical concerns for adrenocortical malignancy, a multidisciplinary team meeting decision was made to proceed with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Histology was consistent with a benign adenoma. Postoperatively, there was clinical and biochemical resolution of the disease.

  • adrenal disorders
  • metabolic disorders

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Footnotes

  • Contributors MLV: resident on case. Wrote majority of case. AK: main attending, decided patient care along with necessary imaging and labs. Supplied writer with information regarding the patient history, labs, imaging and management. Major editor. VK: surgeon involved who provided pictures and pathology. NR: Edited our drafts.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Patient consent Obtained.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.