adrenal cortical hyperplasia; hyperadrenocorticism

Etiology

• pituitary/hypothalamic based -> increased ACTH production
• ectopic ACTH production
  • bronchial carcinoids & small cell carcinomas account for most cases
  • pancreatic endocrine neoplasms
  • medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • thymic carcinoids
  • pheochromocytoma

Pathology

• hyperplasia may be diffuse or nodular
• in macronodular hyperplasia, the adrenals together may weigh up to 180 gms
• nodules may measure up to 4 cm in diameter

Clinical manifestations

• Cushing's syndrome
• Conn's syndrome
• virilization
• feminization

Differential diagnosis

• adrenal cortical adenoma

More general terms

• adrenal gland disease

More specific terms

• congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase deficiency)