primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD)
Primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD) is a rare benign adrenal condition characterized by ACTH-independent autonomous hypersecretion of cortisol, leading to Cushing syndrome.
Epidemiology
PPNAD is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, which has yet to be confidently mapped. Patients are usually children or young adults with a female predilection .
Clinical presentation
Presentation is usually with Cushing syndrome, which is often relatively mild, on account of cortisol levels being only mildly elevated, and thus often not recognized from many years .
Pathology
Associations
PPNAD is associated with Carney complex, which is sometimes the reason for diagnosis.
Radiographic features
The glands are not significantly enlarged, but contain multiple bilateral nodules, typically 2-5 mm in diameter, although in older patients they may be as large as 1-2 cm . The intervening 'normal' gland appears atrophic.
CT
The nodules range in density from isodense to the rest of the adrenal gland, to somewhat hyperdense.
MRI
- T1
- lower signal intensity than surrounding atrophic adrenal tissue
- signal drop out demonstrated on out-of-phase imaging
- T2: lower signal intensity than surrounding atrophic adrenal tissue
Treatment and prognosis
The treatment of choice is bilateral adrenalectomy. As the trait is autosomal dominant, but does not yet have a gene test, screening of family members biochemically is recommended to ensure normal cortisol levels.
See also
Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD):
