Nodular corticotrope hyperpiasia is a rare pathology causing Cushing’s syndrome owing to a primary pituitary disease or ectopic
CRH production. In this study, we evaluated the laboratory and pathological findings and results of transsphenoidal pituitary
surgery in four patients with Cushing’s disease. Dynamic tests of pituitary-adrenal function (dexamethasone suppression, metyrapone,
CRH, and DDAVP tests) were done before and after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Plasma and total urinary cortisol, serum
11-deoxycortisol, and plasma ACTH were determined by RIA. Hormonal dynamic tests and radiologic studies were compatible with
a pituitary ACTH source. The transsphenoidal surgery revealed the presence of corticotrope hyperpiasia confirmed by immunoperoxidase
stain and a preserved reticulum framework in the removed pituitary tissue of these four patients. The pituitary surgery led
to a short period of improvement in two of the patients (1 and 4), a 3-yr remission in one patient (patient 2), and no improvement
in one (patient 3). We conclude that although our patients appear to have inadequate suppression with high-dose dexamethasone,
there is no way to diagnose this pathology presurgically, and that total hypophysectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, and irradiation
are the only alternatives for definitive treatment. A CRH-secreting ectopic tumor could not be found in our patients either
before or after surgery in the follow-up period.
Key Words ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism - nodular corticotrope hyperpiasia - adrenalectomy - hypophysectomy