Functioning adrenal black adenoma with pulmonary and cutaneous cryptococcosis: a case report and review of English literature

J Endocrinol Invest. 2001 Nov;24(10):816-9. doi: 10.1007/BF03343933.

Abstract

A 53-year-old woman experienced progressive general weakness and lumbago in the 2 years prior to a physical examination which disclosed cushingoid manifestations and a skin ulcer on the back of her right knee joint. Her plasma cortisol concentration ranged from 24.7 to 31.1 microg/dl, with an ACTH level <5 pg/ml. Urinary excretions of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) and 17-ketosteroid (17-KS) were 20.5 mg/day and 5.1 mg/day, respectively, and urinary cortisol was also increased (421 microg/day). Cortisol was not suppressed after the administration of 8 mg dexamethasone. Abdominal ultrasound sonography, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrated a left adrenal tumor and further, a chest X-ray examination showed a cavitary lesion containing a fungus ball-like mass in the left lower lung field. The serum cryptococcal antigen titer was positive at 1:128 and a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid culture yielded a growth of Cryptococcus neoformans. A biopsy specimen of the skin ulcer also suggested cryptococcosis. As a result, a left adrenectomy was performed, and the excised specimen was shown to be an adenoma consisting of compact cells with abundant pigmentation (black adenoma). A diagnosis of functioning black adenoma of the adrenal gland, complicated with pulmonary and cutaneous cryptococcosis was made.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Adrenocortical Adenoma / microbiology*
  • Cryptococcosis / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / complications*