[Problem of autonomy of adrenal cortex adenomas of different histological structures in Cushing's syndrome]

The authors analyzed the results of examination of 69 patients operated on for Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome (ICS); in 32 cases tumours of the adrenal cortex were revealed during the operation. Two histological forms of adenoma of the adrenal cortex were distinguished, i.e. adenomas of mono- and polymorphous structure. Increased background urinary excretion of 17-oxycorticosteroids (17-OCS) in patients with ICS suffering from tumours of polymorphous structure persisted at the former level or increased in the tests with 8 mg of dexamethazone (DMZ). The character of tests with 8 mg of DMZ in patients with ICS having adenomas of monomorphous structure was analogous to such in patients with ICS, but without any adrenal gland tumours--urinary 17-OCS excretion was either decreased or suppressed by 50 or more per cent of the initial level. A suggestion is put forward on functional dependence of the adrenal cortex of monomorphous structure on the hypothalamo-hypophysial control.