AN OVARIAN LIPID CELL TUMOR CAUSING VIRILIZATION AND CUSHINGS-SYNDROME

We report a 73-year-old woman with rapidly developing symptoms and sig ns of Gushing's syndrome and high urinary free cortisol. She was viril ized and hirsute with testosterone levels which became exceptionally h igh. ACTH was suppressed and CT scan of the adrenals and pelvis showed no abnormality. Ultrasound scanning showed enlargement of the left ov ary. Venous catheter studies suggested a left ovarian source. A 2-cm d iameter lipid cell tumour was removed from the left ovary laparoscopic ally. Histology was initially benign, and clinical and biochemical cur e of Gushing's syndrome was rapid. However, the neoplastic nature of t he ovarian tumour was demonstrated 12 months later when peritoneal met astases were detected and there was then clinical and biochemical rela pse.