ESTROGEN-SECRETING ADRENOCORTICAL ADENOMA CAUSING GYNECOMASTIA IN A PREPUBERTAL BOY

An 8-year-old boy with isolated gynaecomastia is described. In additio n to elevated serum oestradiol, levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulph ate, androstenedione and testosterone were low with normal cortisol, s uggesting pure-oestrogen secreting tumour. An adrenocortical adenoma w as surgically removed. The oestradiol level returned to normal with gr adual regression of the breast size and normal growth velocity. A brie f review of the literature on feminizing adrenocortical tumours in boy s is presented.