Bilateral Adrenal Ablation for the Treatment of Ectopic ACTH Syndrome With Severe Hypokalemia: A Case Report and a Literature Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ectopic ACTH secretion‐related Cushing's syndrome may manifest as a rapid onset of hypercortisolism, elevated urinary free cortisol (UFC) and blood ACTH concentrations, and hypokalemia. However, for patients whose primary lesions are difficult to remove, bilateral adrenalectomy is the recommended treatment method according to guidelines. Here, we present a case of non‐small cell lung cancer with metastasis. Due to significant deconditioning, the patient was unable to undergo bilateral adrenalectomy and instead underwent catheter‐based adrenal ablation; subsequently, he achieved clinical remission and completed the first phase of chemotherapy.

Keywords

• catheter‐based adrenal ablation
• ectopic ACTH syndrome
• hypokalemia
• treatment method