Diagnosis and treatment of 21-hydroxylase deficiency with testicular adrenal rest tumors:a report of three cases and literature review / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To provide insight into the diagnosis for clinicians, the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment history of 3 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) were analyzed.Methods:The clinical, laboratory and imaging data of 3 male patients with 21-OHD and TART, confirmed with CYP21 gene sequencing, from May 2010 to May 2021 in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The treatment strategy and clinical outcome were followed up.Results:All the 3 patients were first diagnosed with bilateral adrenal mass at the age of 27-42 years old. They were 145-162 cm tall. The levels of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) of the 3 patients were relatively high, and that of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of the 3 patients were low. Testosterone level of 1 patient was significantly elevated, and that of the other 2 patients was below the lower limit of normal range. Testicular ultrasound showed heterogeneous hyperechoic masses in both testes. CT of the adrenal glands showed bilateral adrenal enlargement with mass. All 3 patients were treated with dexamethasone. After 4-96 months of follow-up, 17-hydroxyprogesterone level was kept above the median normal level. One of the patients got married and had a baby after treatment. The sizes of adrenal hyperplasia and testicular masses reduced to various degrees with the change of the testicular masses being proportional to that of adrenal hyperplasia.Conclusions:Patients with 21-OHD are prone to have TART, leading to the impaired testicular function. Early glucocorticold therapy is beneficial to the reduction of TART and restoration of testicular function.

An evaluation of the risk factors for orchidism and the efficacy of intensive corticosteroids therapy for the complicating testicular adrenal rest tumors in the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency during the childhood and pubescent stages / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To explore the risk factors for orchidism and the curative efficacy of intensive corticosteroids therapy for the testicular adrenal rest tumors ( TART ) in the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency ( 21OHD) during childhood and pubescent periods. Methods A total 12 cases (27 case-times) with TART were adopted in intensive corticosteroids therapy, 7 cases (7case-times) as control group without intensive therapy. Retrospective analysis following parameters:( 1) The testicular volume and the echogenic characteristics of TART by B-mode ultrasound. ( 2 ) Serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstendion, and inhibin-B were measured. ( 3 ) Orchidism was defined by one of following events:serum level of inhibin-B≤3rd％ for norm, and/or serum level of testosterone<1. 47 ng/ml for the individual which is already in TannerⅣstage. ( 4) The relationship between regression of TART and intensive therapy project. Results The prevalence of TART in 21-OHD was 28.18％during 2-18 years old, and the youngest age with TART was 2. 48 year of old. The regression rate of TART by intensive therapy was higher than that of the control significantly, 20/30 and 1/11(tumor-times) respectively(P=0.004). When the dose of dexamethasone≥30％ of total doses of corticosteroids, the regression rate of TART was higher than those less than 30％ ones, or adopted hydrocortisone alone, were both respectively 16/20 and 4/10(P=0.045). The risk factors for orchidism related to early diagnosis:The TARTs stages in diagnosis (≥stages III;P=0.003) , the tumor in size, hyperechogenicity in B ultrasound of the tumors ( P = 0. 003 ) . Inhibin-B is the earliest displayed biochemical warker for orchidism. Conclusions The TART could regress when got early diagnosis and adopted intensive corticosteroids therapy on time. Delayed diagnosis was the main risk factor for orchidism. For early diagnosis of TART, we suggest to conduct the scrotal ultrasound regularly started from 2 years of age.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of 21-hydroxylase deficiency nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia complicated by testicular adrenal rest tumors(one-case report) / 中国基层医药

Objective To assess the clinical diagnosis and treatment of 21-hydroxylase deficiency nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) complicated by testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART),thus to improve the recognition of the disease.Methods The clinical data of one patient of NCCAH with TART from our department in 2016 were retrospectively studied,and were analyzed combined with related literature,and the diagnosis was established for treatment.Results The patient was a 17 years old boy.At the age of seven began to appear the pubic hair,voice and other secondary sexual performance.More than their big penis development was significantly higher than their peers.At the age of 12 found bilateral testicular gradually enlarged and attendance.Physical examination:bilateral testicular swelling and a sense of nodules,hard texture,epididymis,normal bilateral varicocele.Laboratory exam indications showed increased levels of progesterone(P),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),17 hydroxyprogesterone(17α-OHP),aaldosterone(ALD),17-hydroxyl corticosteroids(17-OHCS),17-ketone corticosteroids(17-KS).By the ACTH stimulating test,17α-OHP was increased.Bilateral testes MRI:irregular bilateral testes,signal,see in space.Enhanced scan lesions uniform reinforcement,germ cell tumors to row.Adrenal CT:bilateral adrenal hyperplasia.Testicular biopsy:testicular adrenal genital syndrome tumor.Genetic testing:CYP21A2 heterozygous mutations.The above test results were diagnosed of NCCAH 21-OHD with TART.The patient was orally given 10mg/d prednisone 2 time.3 months after treatment,the 17α-OHP,CO and sex hormones returned to normal.Review the adrenal CT showed significant bilateral adrenal shrink,Pa/testis tubercle was narrow,but not obvious.Semen routine still suggested no sperm,considering the TART medical treatment effect was poor.Hence,further line tumor removed,followed up for 3 months without tumor recurrence at present.Conclusion NCCAH complex and varied clinical manifestations and hidden.Not easy to be noticed by patients and clinicians.For the early childhood in pubic hair growth accelerated leading to premature epiphyseal fusion and make the adult height is short stature consideration should be given to the disease.Further lines of sex hormones,adrenal related endocrine examination,genetic testing and ACTH stimulating test,etc.If concurrent bilateral testicular nodules,should consider to merge TART may.Testicular biopsy can be clear.Treatment can choose according to TART classification of glucocorticoid (a hormone steroid) or surgical treatment,concrete scheme should be individualized.

Macroorchidism: Consequence of Untreated Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) are consequences of delayed diagnosis and/or undertreatment in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We describe a case of CAH with TART who presented with bilateral macroorchidism. He was managed with glucocorticoids which led to decrease in testicular size without restoration of spermatogenesis.

Testicular adrenal rest tumors in a patient with untreated congenital adrenal hyperplasia / 소아과

Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are considered to be formed from aberrant adrenal tissue that has become hyperplastic because of elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). A 6-year-old boy presented with testicular enlargement and pubic hair. He was diagnosed with CAH complicated by precocious puberty. However, he was not followed-up. At the age of 17, he visited the outpatient clinic because of testicular enlargement and short stature. His right and left testicles were 10x6 cm and 7.5x4.5 cm, respectively. His height was 155.1 cm (standard deviation score [SDS], -2.90). The diagnosis of CAH due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency was confirmed by mutation analysis of CYP21A2. Histological examination of the testes showed large, polygonal, eosinophilic cells with round nuclei and prominent nucleoli, which were suggestive of TARTs. He was treated with dexamethasone for 3 weeks and tumors regressed. Subsequently, dexamethasone was replaced by prednisolone and 9alpha-fludrocortisone; thereafter, the reduced testis size has been maintained.