Evidence of 1lβ-Hydroxylase Deficiency in a Patient with Cortical Adrenal Adenoma

Summary

We explored a 61 year old woman with mild hirsutism. An adrenal tumor was found in the left adrenal, which was held responsible for the androgen secretion. The in vitro incubation of the tumor tissue showed an impaired 11 β-hydroxylation of 11-deoxycortisol. This is a rare and unusual case of adrenal pathology showing that a deficiency in 11 β-hydroxylase activity does not rule out the presence of an adrenocortical adenoma.

Key words

Adrenals - Adrenal Adenoma - Steroidogenesis - 11 β-Hydroxylase Deficiency