부신피질자극호르몬(ACTH)의 증가가 동반된 무증상 부신피질자극호르몬 분비세포 선종(Silent Corticotroph-cell Adenoma) 1예

A 48 year-old man was referred to our Department with a headache, and also presented with an elevated serum ACTH level, but without an elevated serum cortisol. Although there was no clinical evidence of Cushing's syndrome, a brain CT and MRI showed a 44.5 sized pituitary mass, which was successfully removed by a transsphenoidal approach (TSA). A histopathological examination revealed the mass to have an ACTH positive reaction. Therefore, through hormonal and pathological evaluation, a silent corticotroph-cell adenoma (SCCA), with an elevated serum ACfH level, was diagnosed. Although reports on SCCA have been recently increased, this case is reported because these kinds of tumor are still rare, and those SCCA with an elevated serum ACTH even more so.