A misleading cause of pseudo-thymic tumor in ectopic Cushing's syndrome

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2013 Apr;21(2):224-6. doi: 10.1177/0218492312450290.

Abstract

A 27-year-old man was referred with typical features of severe Cushing's syndrome. A bilateral adrenalectomy was performed. Three months later, a triangular nodular mediastinal enlargement, evocative of a right anterior thymic tumor, was discovered. Thymectomy was undertaken. Histological examination revealed diffuse thymic hyperplasia with negative immunostaining for adrenocorticotropic hormone. Five years later, a right endobronchial tumor corresponding to a carcinoid tumor was removed.

Keywords: ACTH syndrome; carcinoid tumor; cushing syndrome; ectopic; thymus hyperplasia; thymus neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenalectomy / adverse effects
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Carcinoid Tumor / blood
  • Carcinoid Tumor / complications*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnosis
  • Carcinoid Tumor / surgery
  • Cushing Syndrome / blood
  • Cushing Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Cushing Syndrome / etiology*
  • Cushing Syndrome / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / blood
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / complications*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnosis
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / surgery
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / diagnosis
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / etiology*
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Unnecessary Procedures

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone