Virilizing ovarian Leydig cell tumor in a woman with subclinical Cushing syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report the case of a patient with a virilizing ovarian Leydig cell tumor and subclinical Cushing syndrome attributable to an adrenal adenoma.

METHODS:

Detailed clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and pathologic findings are presented, and the pertinent literature is reviewed.

RESULTS:

A 49-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a left adrenal mass (3.0 by 2.4 cm), which had been diagnosed by computed tomographic scan 4 years previously during a work-up for hirsutism. On examination, she had central obesity, facial hirsutism, and male pattern baldness. Work-up showed elevated total and free testosterone levels of 196 ng/dL (reference range, 20 to 70) and 24 pg/mL (1 to 9), respectively. Other results (and reference ranges) were as follows: dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 7.5 microg/dL (10 to 221); corticotropin, 12 pg/mL (5 to 50); morning cortisol, 1.4 microg/dL after a 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test; and urine free cortisol, 48.8 microg/24 h (20 to 100). The testosterone level decreased by 14% after a 2-day low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. Findings on transvaginal ovarian ultrasonography and a computed tomographic scan of the pelvis were normal. A laparoscopic adrenalectomy revealed an adrenal adenoma. On the first day postoperatively, the cortisol level was less than 1.0 microg/dL; however, the testosterone level remained elevated. At 6 months postoperatively, a normal result of a cosyntropin stimulation test indicated recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Bilateral oophorectomy revealed a 1.3-cm right ovarian Leydig cell tumor. Postoperatively, the testosterone level declined to less than 20 ng/dL.

CONCLUSION:

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a virilizing ovarian Leydig cell tumor in a patient with subclinical Cushing syndrome.

• Authors: Dima L Diab, Charles Faiman, Allan E Siperstein, William F Grossman, Laura O Rabinowitz, Amir H Hamrahian
• Journal: Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (Endocr Pract) Vol. 14 Issue 3 Pg. 358-61 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 1934-2403 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18463044 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Testosterone

Topics

• Adenoma (complications, diagnosis)
• Adrenal Gland Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis)
• Cushing Syndrome (complications, diagnosis, etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Leydig Cell Tumor (complications, diagnosis)
• Middle Aged
• Ovarian Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis)
• Testosterone (blood)
• Virilism (diagnosis, etiology)