Corticosteroid-induced glaucoma attributable to an adrenocorticotropin-secreting malignant carcinoid tumor of the thymus

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and histopathologic findings in a patient with corticosteroid-induced open-angle glaucoma attributable to an adrenoc orticotropin-secreting malignant carcinoid of the thymus. METHODS: Case report, Tn a 33-year-old man, the clinical course, laboratory findings, and imaging results as well as the histopathologic findings are described. RESULTS: Increased intraocular pressure in this patient represented a manif estation of severe hypercortisolism attributable to a malignant adrenocorti cotropin-secreting carcinoid tumor. Surgical removal resulted in return of the intraocular pressure values to normal levels. CONCLUSION: Thymic carcinoid is a rare cause of Cushing syndrome, which can lead to increased intraocular pressure. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;128:100-101. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).