[Allotransplantation of fetal adrenal capsules for treating steroid deficiency]

A man suffering from bilateral adrenal carcinoma was treated by total adrenalectomy and steroids substitution. One and a half months later, two fetal adrenal capsules were grafted to his greater omentum. No immunosuppressive agent was given. From the fourth month exogenous steroid dose was gradually reduced. Five months after transplantation, substitution therapy was discontinued. The patient showed no signs of steroid deficiency and all laboratory studies were normal. Seven months later, the patient died of metastasis of the carcinoma. Pathological examination showed that much adrenal cortex had regenerated in the greater omentum. The findings suggest that this method for treating chronic steroid deficiency is simple and successful.