Adrenal Tumor Mimicking Non-Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Abstract

Elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone may be caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ovarian or adrenal tumors. A positive cosyntropin stimulation test result for 17-hydroxyprogesterone may be found in functional or non-functional tumors and be related to tumor size. Here, we present a case of a 36-year-old woman with a 4-year history of infertility. Laboratory test results revealed elevated progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, with normal luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen, testosterone, and anti-Mullerian hormone levels. The 250-μg cosyntropin stimulation test revealed a 17-hydroxyprogesterone level of 11.3 ng/ml (34.3 nmol/L) and 31.8 ng/ml (96.2 nmol/L) at 0 and 60 min, respectively. Non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia was diagnosed initially; however, genetic testing revealed no 21-hydroxylase deficiency. She received dexamethasone but progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels remained high. Abdominal computed tomography found a 4.5 × 4.8-cm left adrenal tumor. Subsequent pathological report was compatible with an adrenal cortical adenoma. Progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels returned to the normal range postoperatively and the 250-μg cosyntropin stimulation test of 17-hydroxyprogesterone showed a normal response. When biochemically diagnosed NCCAH demonstrate no typical features and show poor response to steroid, the patient should undergo gene mutation analysis and receive adrenal or ovarian imaging. For women suffering from infertility, adrenalectomy of 17-OHP secreting adrenal tumor may improve fertility outcome.

Keywords: 17-OHP; adrenal tumor; androgen; infertility; non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia.