FLUCTUATING STEROID EXCRETION IN CUSHING's SYNDROME

Abstract

Measurements of the urinary excretion of steroids play an important rôle as an aid in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. When dealing with the excretion of the neutral 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) the current view seems to be that in most patients with Cushing's syndrome without obvious changes of the adrenals, normal excretory values are found. These patients, however, sometimes show moderately increased excretion. Patients with adrenal cortical hypertrophy and manifestations corresponding to Cushing's syndrome, as a rule show a slight increase in the excretory values (Soffer, 1956). At times, however, the values may be high and may reach the excretion found in patients with malignant adrenal cortical tumour (Hamblen et al., 1941). The excretion of 11-hydroxy-steroids and 17-hydroxy-steroids are as a rule increased in Cushing's syndrome (Soffer, 1956). This also seems to be the case with regard to the so-called 17-ketogenic steroids (17-KGS) (Diczfalusy et al., 1955), although experience with this