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Case Reports
. 2021 Dec 21;15(1):605.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-021-03203-8.

Feminizing adrenocortical adenoma in a girl from a resource-limited setting: a case report

Eman Abdalla Ali Elnaw  1 , Areej Ahmed Bashier Ibrahim  2 , Mohamed Ahmed Abdullah  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Feminizing adrenocortical adenoma in a girl from a resource-limited setting: a case report

Eman Abdalla Ali Elnaw et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: An adrenocortical tumor is a rare tumor in pediatrics, which can be functional or nonfunctional. Functional tumors present with virilization, feminization, or hypercortisolism. Feminizing adrenal tumors, though rare in pediatrics, need to be excluded in any child presenting with features of feminization.

Case presentation: We report a case of a 4-year-old Sudanese girl who presented with gradually progressive bilateral breast enlargement and accelerated growth since the age of 6 months. The family had sought medical advice several times in numerous health facilities without much gain. Investigations showed pubertal luteinizing hormone levels, high estradiol E2, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, with normal early morning cortisol level. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a right-sided hypoechoic suprarenal mass. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a right adrenal mass. The diagnosis of feminizing adrenal neoplasm was confirmed and right adrenalectomy was done. Histopathological examination of the resected adrenal gland showed adrenocortical adenoma. The patient was started on gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist for secondary central precocious puberty.

Conclusion: Adrenocortical tumors, though rare in pediatrics, are a documented cause of precocious puberty; biochemical and imaging screening protocol should be adopted for patients with precocious puberty, even in a resource-limited setting, for early detection and treatment.

Keywords: Case report; Feminizing adrenocortical tumor; Precocious puberty; Resource-limited setting.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Abdominal computed tomography scan showing a right adrenal tumor (arrow)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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