Hypercortisolism Due to Paraganglioma Secreting Adrenocorticotropin and Catecholamines

A paraganglioma is a neuroendocrine tumor classically associated with catecholamine production. We describe a 71-year-old woman with an incidentally identified para-aortic mass who later developed hyperglycemia, hypertension, hypokalemia, and leukocytosis. Work-up ultimately revealed significantly elevated adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, and metanephrines, and biopsy of the mass suggested paraganglioma cosecretion of both ACTH and catecholamines. Using osilodrostat to decrease her excess cortisol production, she underwent successful surgical paraganglioma resection. Pathology of the mass demonstrated a paraganglioma with ACTH-producing cells, confirming the diagnosis of ectopic Cushing syndrome (CS). Following resection, the patient had resolution of hypertension and hyperglycemia and normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We describe the work-up and important perioperative and long-term management considerations for patients with hypercortisolism from ectopic CS and catecholamine excess.