[A case of deoxycorticosterone-producing adrenal tumor]

We present a case of a 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC)-producing adrenocortical tumor. A 55-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaints of sustained hypertension and weakness of lower extremities. A laboratory study revealed a decrease in the serum potassium level and plasma renin activity, a normal level of plasma aldosterone and a significant elevation of plasma DOC and 18-OH-DOC levels. The plasma DOC level was increased by ACTH stimulation and was not suppressed by dexamethasone. The tumor appeared at a low intensity of the T1 weighted image of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and at a high intensity on the T2 weighted image. Left adrenalectomy was performed and histological examination revealed a benign adrenal adenoma. Postoperatively, the abnormal blood pressure, serum potassium level and plasma level of DOC and 18-OH-DOC became normal.