exenatide and Cushing-Syndrome

A 48-year-old patient presented with an insufficient control of his diabetes mellitus which was known since 3 years. The antidiabetic medication comprised metformin and exenatide.. Physical examination revealed, beside elevated blood pressure, abdominal purple striae. Endocrine testing was consistent with ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Abdominal CT showed a 5 cm measuring, inhomogeneous, contrast-enhanced mass in the right suprarenal area which was positive on iodine-131 MIBG SPECT. Furthermore, urinary catecholamines were markedly increased.. Diagnosis of an ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma was made and an open adrenalectomy was performed. Histology confirmed a pheochromocytoma with potential aggressive clinical behaviour according to the Pheocromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score. 6 months after the intervention, glucose control was significantly improved with an HbA1c of 5.5%.. An ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma is a very rare cause of deterioration of glucose control. However, in presence of typical clinical findings an endocrine work-up is warranted.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenalectomy; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Cushing Syndrome; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Exenatide; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Male; Metformin; Middle Aged; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Venoms