Metyrapone-Responsive Ectopic ACTH-Secreting Pheochromocytoma with a Vicious Cycle Via a Glucocorticoid-Driven Positive-Feedback Mechanism
2018, 65 (7), 755-767 Original Metyrapone-responsive ectopic ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma with a vicious cycle via a glucocorticoid-driven positive-feedback mechanism Minako Inoue1), Ken Okamura1), Chie Kitaoka1), Fumio Kinoshita2), Ryo Namitome3), Udai Nakamura1), Masaki Shiota3), Kenichi Goto1), Toshio Ohtsubo1), Kiyoshi Matsumura4), Yoshinao Oda2), Masatoshi Eto3) and Takanari Kitazono1) 1) Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan 2) Department of Anatomic Pathology, Pathological Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan 3) Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan 4) Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan Abstract. In ectopic ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma, combined ACTH-driven hypercortisolemia and hyper‐ catecholaminemia are serious conditions, which can be fatal if not diagnosed and managed appropriately, especially when glucocorticoid-driven positive feedback is suggested with a high ACTH/cortisol ratio. A 46-year-old man presented with headache, rapid weight loss, hyperhidrosis, severe hypertension and hyperglycemia without typical Cushingoid appearance. Endocrinological examinations demonstrated elevated plasma and urine catecholamines, serum cortisol and plasma ACTH. Moreover, his ACTH/cortisol ratio and catecholamine levels were extremely high, suggesting catecholamine-dominant ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma.
[Show full text]