Bilateral adrenalectomy for corticotrophin-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia

Abstract

Corticotropin (ACTH)-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia has been documented as a distinct rare subtype of Cushing's syndrome, and we know of fewer than 70 case reports in English [2, 3, 7-10]. In these patients, the adrenal glands are appreciably enlarged in contrast to the hyperplastic adrenal glands noted in other primary causes of Cushing's syndrome [11]. The adrenal hyperplasia seems to be at least partly autonomous, similar to that seen in cortical neoplasms, but the exact aetiology is unknown. To our knowledge, it has never been documented before in Chinese patients. In this paper, we reported its unusual clinicopathological features in 2 Chinese patients, and discuss diagnosis and treatment.