Cushing Syndrome in Carney Complex: Clinical, Pathologic, and Molecular Genetic Findings in the 17 Affected Mayo Clinic Patients

Am J Surg Pathol. 2017 Feb;41(2):171-181. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000748.

Abstract

Carney complex (CNC) is a rare dominantly inherited multiorgan tumoral disorder that includes Cushing syndrome (CS). To establish the Mayo Clinic experience with the CS component, including its clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings, we performed a retrospective search of the patient and pathologic databases of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, for patients with CNC and clinical or laboratory findings of CS. Thirty-seven patients with CNC were identified. Twenty-nine had clinical, pathologic, or laboratory evidence of an adrenocortical disorder. Seventeen had classic CS; 15 underwent bilateral, subtotal, or partial unilateral adrenalectomy, and 2 had no treatment. Pathologically, the glands were normal sized or slightly enlarged with multiple small (1 to 4 mm), brown, black, and yellow micronodules (primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease; PPNAD). Three glands each had a mass: a 2 cm adenoma, a 1.5 cm macronodule, and an unencapsulated 1.8 cm myelolipoma. Fourteen of the patients were alive at follow-up, and 3 were deceased; 2 of the latter had PPNAD at autopsy, and the third had PPNAD at surgery. Twelve patients without clinical features of classic CS had abnormal adrenocortical testing results; none developed classic CS during follow-up (mean, 10 y). Autopsy findings in 1 showed bilateral vacuolated cell cortical hyperplasia.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Carney Complex / complications*
  • Carney Complex / genetics
  • Carney Complex / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cushing Syndrome / etiology*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase RIalpha Subunit / genetics
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase RIalpha Subunit
  • PRKAR1A protein, human