Ovarian intratumoral 21-hydroxylase deficiency in a postmenopausal hirsute woman

We report a case of a 64 year-old woman with signs of virilisation that had started 3 years before. Blood hormone analysis revealed increased levels of testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The tetracosactin test revealed 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Radiological imaging demonstrated a nodule in her left ovary. The patient was submitted to bilateral laparoscopic oophorectomy, and histopathological examination revealed a luteoma of the left ovary. Postoperative serum testosterone level and 17-hydroxyprogesterone returned to normal levels in one month. Virilism regressed within six months. Our patient also showed an elevation in 17-OHP serum levels. Normalization of 17-OHP after oophorectomy suggests a case of intratumoral 21-hydroxylase deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first description of ovarian intratumoral 21-hydroxylase deficiency in a postmenopausal woman. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):672-6Tumores ovarianos virilizantes são uma causa rara de hiperandrogenismo em mulheres, contabilizando menos de 5% de todos as neoplasias ovarianas. Esses tumores ocorrem mais comumente em mulheres em peri ou pós-menopausa. Relatamos aqui o caso de uma mulher de 64 anos de idade com sintomas de virilização que começaram 3 anos antes. O perfil hormonal revelou níveis aumentados de testosterona e de 17-hidroxiprogesterona (17-OHP). O teste de tetracosactin demonstrou deficiência de 21-hidroxilase. Exames radiológicos mostraram um nódulo no ovário esquerdo. A pac...
Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia e Metabologia - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research