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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Ectopic Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Syndrome due to Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Aya Kawanishi1, Ryuzo Deguchi1, Ayano Ito1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
A 55-year-old woman presented to her primary care physician with facial and lower leg edema. After being referred to our hospital because of hypothyroidism and hypokalemia on blood tests, she also had elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels, but a dexamethasone suppression test showed no cortisol suppression. Ectopic ACTH syndrome due to pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PNEC) was suspected. endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed, and a histopathological examination of the obtained specimen revealed multiple liver metastases of the PNEC. Imaging after etoposide and cisplatin therapy showed cystic changes in the primary lesions and shrinkage of the liver metastases, and the ACTH levels were within the normal range.
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