Familial Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome has been demonstrated in four of seven siblings with clinical manifestations appearing around puberty in three of the four siblings. The only other associated findings in these cases were short stature and disturbed carbohydrate metabolism. Adenomatous hyperplasia of the adrenal glands was demonstrated in 3 of the patients, and a virilizing adrenal carcinoma in the fourth sibling. The pathogenesis of the adrenocortical disorders in these siblings is discussed.