ODP621 Hypertension with Hypokalemia in Pregnancy? Think "Cushing's Syndrome"
Authors: Al Tameemi Mohammed , Al Dallal Reem , Hamdi Mohammed , Orlander Philip 
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Pregnancy is uncommon in women with Cushing's syndrome (CS) as hypercortisolism and hyperandrogenism suppress gonadotropins leading to anovulatory cycles. Such pregnancies carry a higher rate of fetal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to diagnose and treat CS in pregnancy.

The diagnosis of CS in pregnancy is challenging due to the physiologic changes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during pregnancy.

We describe a case of CS in pregnancy that was a successfully treated with surgery.

Case description

An asymptomatic 39-year-old pregnant female patient with gestational hypertension was admitted to the hospital after she was found to have uncontrolled hypertension (while on 3 anti-hypertensive medications) and severe hypokalemia with potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. She was 14 weeks pregnant at the time.

She has a family history of primary aldosteronism in her father successfully treated with adrenalectomy at the age of 60.

Her work up included blood work (done at 13: 42) which showed sodium level of 146 mEq/L, plasma aldosterone concentration of &lt;1 ng/dL, plasma renin activity of 1.0 ng/mL/hr, total testosterone of 46 ng/dL, DHEA-S of 31 mcg/dL, plasma metanephrines &lt;50 pg/mL, 24-hour urine metanephrines 70 ug, 24-hour urine normetanephrines 164 ug/24 hrs, ACTH 5 pg/mL, and cortisol 28.2 mcg/dl. MRI abdomen without contrast showed a 3.5×3.0×4.2 cm left adrenal nodule consistent with adenoma.

Patient was diagnosed with non-ACTH dependent subclinical CS based on her elevated cortisol and low ACTH levels. She underwent left laparoscopic adrenalectomy and was discharged on oral hydrocortisone. Pathology showed adrenal cortical adenoma. Her blood pressure normalized shortly after surgery and her anti-hypertensive medications were stopped.

Discussion

Pregnancy is associated with multiple changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis making diagnosis of CS in pregnancy challenging. Those changes include increased Cortisol binding globulin production leading to increased serum cortisol level and lack of suppression with Dexamethasone beside placental production of CRH and ACTH, all leading to increased salivary and urinary free cortisol levels, as well.

This case of hypertension and hypokalemia in pregnancy presented a diagnostic dilemma. Furthermore, the clinical presentation was confounded by a family history of primary aldosteronism. However, the low serum ACTH level highly suggested the diagnosis of CS. Unfortunately, there are no pregnancy-specific guidelines for the diagnosis of CS. The dexamethasone suppression test is not recommended as it often yields false-positive results.

The use of urinary free cortisol and late-night salivary cortisol is recommended, and the diagnosis is established when results are three to four times the upper limit of normal. ACTH levels &lt;10 pg/ml are suggestive of adrenal CS. MRI without contrast can be used for imaging.

To date, there have been over 260 reported cases of CS in pregnancy with more than half of them being.

Presentation: No date and time listed