Virilizing paraovarian tumors: a consequence of Nelson's syndrome?

ABSTRACT

In a patient with Nelson's syndrome, elevated peripheral concentrations of androgens usually associated with neoplasm prompted ovarian vein catheterization. Androgen excess was limited to the right ovary. However, laparotomy revealed bilateral multiple paraovarian nodules with histologic appearance of adrenocortical tissue. The occurrence of virilization from ectopic adrenal tissue with markedly elevated ACTH concentrations is exceedingly rare.