[Occult bronchial carcinoid tumor producing ACTH simulating Cushing's syndrome]

Abstract

Cushing's Syndrome raises sometimes important diagnostic and therapeutic problems. A case of Cushing's Syndrome is discussed, induced by ectopic secretion of ACTH by a Benign Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor, which due to its clinical features (asymptomatic and invisible to conventional radiology and associated with typical signs of Chronic Hypercortisolism) and biochemical findings (ACTH only slightly raised and suppression with high doses dexamethasone), simulated an hypophyseal origin, the pulmonary tumor being showed only after 3 years of the diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome.