Androgen-secreting adrenal adenomas

BACKGROUND: The androgen source in women with hirsutism and signs of virilism. may be the ovary or adrenal gland. CASES: Thee patients with androgen excess are reported. Two had hyperandrogenemia and Cushing syndrome with an adrenal mass greater than 5.5 cm; the third had a small adrenal adenoma secreting only testosterone and responsive to human chorionic gonadotropin. In all cases, the pathologic report from surgery and the long-term resolution of symptoms confirmed the benign nature of die tumors. CONCLUSION: Basal and dynamic hormonal tests cannot precisely differentiate ovarian from adrenal tumors. Adrenal adenomas must be considered as a cause of hyperandrogenic syndrome. (C) 2002 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.