Nelson's syndrome

(Don H. Nelson, born 1925, American physician), the development of a pituitary tumour which secretes adrenocorticotrophic hormone following total adrenalectomy for Cushings syndrome. Patients develop hyperpigmentation of the mucosa and skin and the clinical manifestations of the tumour, i.e. headache, hemianopia etc. Radiologically, there is sellar enlargement. The tumour is demonstrated on MR imaging.

HC