Nelson's syndrome

(Don H. Nelson, 20th century, American physician), a syndrome occuring after bilateral adrenalectomy, and caused by a pituitary adenoma that develops from 1 to 16 years after surgery. The plasma ACTH concentration is elevated and the clinical features are nonspecific. There is skin pigmentation and previous history of Cushing's syndrome, as well as all the possible local symptoms related to the presence of a macroadenoma. Pituitary tumours may also, however, be microadenomas.

GS