Adrenocortical Hyperactivity

Abstract

Adrenocortical hyperactivity apparently is always associated with cortical hyperplasia, adenoma or carcinoma. Sometimes the adrenal gland is normal in weight and size but the cellular appearance is consistent with hyperactivity. Multiple adrenal functions may be hyperactive, or a single hormone may be produced in excess.

Assays for urinary steroids are indispensable to the diagnosis of adrenal disease. Diagnosis may be sustained by roentgenographic studies, but surgical exploration often is necessary; suppression or stimulation of adrenal function is a useful diagnostic adjunct.

An excess of adrenal hormones produces a striking variety of clinical changes, depending on age and sex, including pseudoher-maphroditism, adrenogenital syndrome, idiopathic hirsutism, Cushing's syndrome, and primary aldosteronism; diagnosis and therapy are discussed.