Search

A 27-yr female patient was admitted to the hospital because of secondary amenorrhea and a severe and complex virilization syndrome. The urinary 17-Ks, 17 OHCS and testosterone glucuronide values were greatly increased. The plasma testosterone through very high, was within the normal limits in males (3.52 ng/ml). Urography, echography and CT scan revealed a large right adrenal tumor. Removal of the tumor brought about a considerable clinical improvement: reoccurrence of the menstrual cycle, a progressive decrease in the virilization syndrome and normalization of the urinary 17-Ks, 17-OHCS and of the plasma testosterone.

The aim of the study was clinical evaluation of a new marker of pituitary tumours--the alpha subunit of glycoprotein hormones. The studies were performed in 152 patients with manifestations of intersellar tumours; an elevated serum alpha subunit concentration was found in 49 of these cases. The determinations of alpha subunit were performed by double antibody radioimmunoassay. Iodination of alpha subunit was made by chloramine T technique with subsequent purification of Ultrogel AcA54 column. The remaining pituitary hormones were also determined by radioimmunoassay. The incidence of pituitary tumours of alphoma type was 30 percent. Tumours occurred frequently in association with an increased serum growth hormone and manifestations of acromegaly, less frequently with hyperprolactinemia and signs of prolactinoma. Following neurosurgery of 60Co pituitary irradiation hypopituitarism was of high occurrence.