Complete adrenocorticotropin deficiency after radiation therapy for brain tumor with a normal growth hormone reserve

Intern Med. 2002 Jun;41(6):453-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.41.453.

Abstract

A 34-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1, who had received radiation therapy after the excision of a brain tumor 5 years earlier, was admitted to our hospital with vomiting and weight loss. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) were undetectable before and after administration of 100 microg corticotropin releasing hormone. The level of growth hormone without stimulation was 24.7 ng/ml. We diagnosed him to have complete ACTH deficiency attributable to radiation therapy. This is the first known case of a patient with complete ACTH deficiency after radiation therapy and a growth hormone reserve that remained normal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Insufficiency / etiology
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / deficiency*
  • Adult
  • Astrocytoma / radiotherapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects*
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine
  • Growth Hormone / blood
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / deficiency
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / radiation effects
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiation Injuries / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Growth Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone