Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2010) 22 P429

1Medical Department III, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; 2Division of Endocrinology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA; 3Department of Surgery II, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; 4Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; 5Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; 6HELIOS Klinikum Aue, Aue, Germany.


Cushing’s syndrome can be caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting solid tumors. We report a rare case of an ileal endocrine carcinoma that produced ACTH and induced hypercortisolism. A now 47-year-old male patient presented at the age of 41 with perspiration, weight gain, tremor and general fatigue. Diabetes mellitus and hypercortisolism was diagnosed by laboratory testing. Further examinations revealed ectopic Cushing’s syndrome. The search for the location of the primary tumor proved to be difficult. The patient underwent subtotal thyroidectomy and surgical removal of a pituitary lesion. After resection of an ACTH producing tumor of the mesentery, temporary remission of Cushing’s syndrome ensued. This lesion was later found to be a metastasis. At the age of 45 the primary tumor was detected in the ileum by Ga-68 DOTATOC PET scan and explorative laparotomy. After surgical removal of this well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma the patient significantly improved clinically. He experienced remission of his diabetes mellitus, an increase in muscular strength as well as better blood pressure with 2 of 4 anti-hypertensive medications discontinued. Follow-up laboratory testing confirmed remission of hypercortisolism and diabetes mellitus. A 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test 18 months after surgery and a Ga-68 DOTATOC PET showed normal results. Ectopic ACTH secretion within the small bowel is very rare. This case accentuates the difficulty in locating the source of ectopic ACTH secretion. In addition to standard diagnostic procedures like CT or MRI scan it suggests using SSTR imaging, small bowel barium study, tubus endoscopy or video endoscopy for preoperative localization if the small bowel is suspected as tumor source.

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