A Case of Addison' s Disease / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Addison's disease is a rare disorder resulted from a chronic deficiency of the adreanl cortical hormone. The clinical manifestations are general weakness, weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypovolemia with hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. We report a case of Addison's disease in a 60-year-old woman who has experienced slowly progressive weakness, weight loss and generalized cutaneous pigmentation, especially sun exposed area, extensor surface and nail bed for the last, 2 years. On a hormonal assay of the adrenal glands, basal plasma cortisol level was decreased and basal plasma ACTH level was markedly elevated. A chest X-ray showed streaky tuberculous infiltration in left, upper lobe field and adrenal CT scan showed calcific densities of both adrenal glands with nodular enlargement of right adrenal gland. There was a clinical improvement with steroid replacement therapy and anti-tuber- culosis chemotherapy. A nearly normal appearance was obtained after 5 months' treatment.