Li S, Yang C, Fan J, Yao Y, Lv X, Guo Y, Zhang S. Pregnancy-induced Cushing's syndrome with an adrenocortical adenoma overexpressing LH/hCG receptors: a case report.
BMC Endocr Disord 2020;
20:62. [PMID:
32393232 PMCID:
PMC7216527 DOI:
10.1186/s12902-020-0539-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy-induced Cushing's syndrome (CS) with an adrenocortical adenoma overexpressing luteinizing hormone (LH)/human choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptors (LHCGR) has been rarely reported in the literatures. This peculiar condition challenges the canonical diagnosis and management of CS.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 27-year-old woman (G2P0A1) presented at 20 weeks gestational age (GA) with overt Cushingoid clinical features. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent CS was diagnosed based on undetectable ACTH and unsuppressed cortisol levels by dexamethasone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning without contrast revealed a left adrenal nodule while pituitary MRI scanning was normal. A conservative treatment strategy of controlling Cushingoid comorbidities was conducted. At 36 weeks GA, a caesarean operation was performed and a live female infant was delivered. At 8 weeks after parturition, our patient achieved normalization of blood pressure, blood glucose, serum potassium, and urinary cortisol level spontaneously. During non-pregnancy period, stimulation testing with exogenous hCG significantly evoked a cortisol increase. The woman underwent resection of the adrenal tumor at 6 months after parturition. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed the tumor tissue that stained positive for luteinizing hormone (LH)/human choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor (LHCGR), whereas negative for both melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) and G protein-coupled receptor-1 (GPER-1).
CONCLUSIONS
Stimulation test with exogenous hCG after parturition is necessary for the diagnosis of pregnancy-induced CS. LHCGR plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of this rare condition.
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