[Diabetes mellitus and massive lower leg edema without heart failure].

BACKGROUND

The 47-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital because of newly diagnosed diabetes and elevated liver function tests (gamma glutamyl transferase 303 U/l). On admission the patient reported a reduction of appetite, which had increased during the past 2 weeks, fatigue, muscular weakness, polyuria and polydypsia. On physical examination the patient was moderately overweight, the blood pressure was normal. There were leg edema, which had not responded to previous treatment. There were no additional signs of right heart failure.

METHODS

On admission there were hypokalemia and increased parameters of cholestasis. Cortilsol concentration was elevated (1744 microg/l). Hypokalemia which was refractory to treatment raised the differential diagnosis of Conn's syndrome or ectopic secretion of ACTH, although these conditions are frequently associated with arterial hypertension. Cushing's syndrome was finally diagnosed despite of the lack of classical symptoms. Underlying reason was an adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with ectopic secretion of ACTH.

METHODS

Therapy was targeted to control the excessive secretion of cortisol. A treatment attempt with subcutaneous somatostatin and the adrenal enzyme inhibitor ketoconazole failed to control increased cortisol secretion. Bilateral surgical adrenalectomy was performed because of the patient's progressively deteriorating clinical condition. The patient developed a lethal septic shock after surgery, most likely due to the cortisol-induced immunosuppression.

CONCLUSIONS

1. In patients presenting with muscular weakness, leg oedema refractory to treatment, hypokalemia and hyperglycemia hypercortisolism should be ruled out even in the absence of typical clinical signs. 2. Massive hypercortisolism (as present in ectopic ACTH secretion) is not necessarily associated with arterial hypertension.