Endocrinology and Metabolism

Case Reports

Two Cases of Malignant Lymphoma Involving Bilateral Adrenal Glands as Huge Masses.: Seung Hyeok Han, Jin Seok Kim, Myung Soo Kim, Hye Won Chung, Jae Ho Jung, Young Suck Goo, Chul Woo Ahn, Jae Hyun Nam, Sang Soo Jung, Young Duk Song, Sung Kil Lim, Kyung Rae Kim, Hyun Chul Lee, Kap Bum Huh, Jee Sook Hahn; J Korean Endocr Soc. 2000;15(1):121-127. Published online January 1, 2001

Abstract PDF: Adrenal gland is a common site of metastatic tumors such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. When adrenal mass is found incidentally, adenoma is the most common among single adrenal masses. But in the case of bilateral adrenal masses, infection, bilateral metastases and hemorrhage are common. Secondary involvement of the adrenal gland is found in 25% of autopsy cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, adrenal insufficiency is rare because it becomes apparent only when approximately 90% of adrenal cortex is destructed. We exprienced two cases of malignant lymphoma which involved the adrenal glands bilaterally. One case in which adrenal insufficiency was suspicious, was accompanied by hypovolemic shock and sepsis at the initial presentation. He died of sepsis combined with DIC even though hydrocortisone, intravenous saline infusion, and antibiotics therapy were started immediately. The other one was found incidentally, in which adrenal infiltraion was confirmed by CT scan. Hormonal level was normal and adrenal masses disappeared after chemotherapy.

A Case of Central Diabetes Insipidus Caused by Metastatin Malignant Lymphoma.: Sung Kil Lim, Young Duk Song, Hyun Chul Lee, Kap Bum Huh, Hyun Soo Kim, Kyung Rae Kim, Yoo Mi Lee, Yong Suk Yoon, Suk Ho Kwon, Jae Hyun Nam, Sang Hak Lee; J Korean Endocr Soc. 1997;12(4):596-601. Published online January 1, 2001

Abstract PDF: The causes of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) are numerous; some primary cases are idiopathic while most secondary cases are surgically induced or the result of tumor. The frequency of metastatic tumor as a cause of DI is 6% to 20% of cases, Variety of malignancies including breast, lung, colon, prostate cancer, and leukemia/lymphoma have been reported to metastasize to the pituitary, although most patients are asymptomatic. Clinical manifestations of pituitary metastases include anterior pituitary failure, visual disturbance, and extraocular muscle weakness. DI is the most common clinical manifestation of hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) metastases. Anatomical basis far this clinical picture is that most metastases occur in the posterior lobe. We report on a 35-year-old male patient with meningeal involvement of malignant lymphoma that was thought to be associated with DI. Confirmation of primary malignancy was made by biopsy at site of cervical lymph node and tonsil, Pituitary involvement was suspected on brain MRI, and satisfactory symptornatic relief was obtained with vasopressin. Because of the progres-sion of underlying lymphorna that has shown no response to combined anticancer chemotherapy, the patient expired on 60th hospital day.

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