Familial Cushing's syndrome with idiopathic ACTH-independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia successfully treated by laparoscopic adrenalectomy

AGTH-independene Gushing's syndrome secondary to ACTH independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIBMAH) is an uncommon disorder, and in most cases the precise etiology has not been determined. We report a case of a 5? year old woman who presented with signs and symptoms of Gushi ng's syndrome who was determined to have AIBMAH. The patient was successful ly treated by bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy Curiously, the patient's brother appeared to have the same disease. Although food-induced Gushing's syndrome was excluded, the mechanism leading to this patient's syndrome wa s not determined. This case, in addition to two other reported cases, shows that Gushing's syndrome associated with AIMBAH may occur on a familial bas is. This case also shows that laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be used in lie u of the traditional surgical approach in these patients.