Study of Cushing's Syndrome Not Related to ACTH Production

Inclusion Criteria

• •PATIENTS WITH NORMAL ADRENAL GLANDS:
• •Patients with normal adrenal glands will be recruited from those studied under NCI protocols.
• •They will not have taken suppressive doses of glucocorticoids for 12 months, and will not have any known adrenal pathology, either of the cortex or medulla.
• •They will not have Von-Hippel Lindau syndrome.
• •PATIENTS WITH ACTH-INDEPENDENT CUSHING'S SYNDROME:
• •Will be aged 18 or older;
• •Will have plasma ACTH levels of 10 pg/mL or less;
• •Will have an outside physician who will follow them after surgery.
• •Must not weigh greater than 380 pounds. These patients are unable to undergo CT scans.
• •Must not have a CT scan showing normal or atrophic bilateral adrenal glands.
• •Must not have a CRH test showing a response as defined above. The diagnosis of these patients will need further evaluation.
• •Must not have any condition that would preclude surgery, including advanced heart failure, significant coronary artery disease, severe pulmonary disease.
• •Must not have a hematocrit less than 30 or research blood withdraw greater than 450 mL in the previous six weeks.
• •Must not be pregnant.
• •Must not have a history of angina or known coronary artery disease, because these patients are at risk for exacerbation during the vasopressin test.
• •The SF-36 questionnaire will only be given to individuals who speak and read English fluently. Patients may participate in the remainder of the study, however, if they do not meet this criterion.