Case Report: Refractory hypokalemia as a clinical manifestation of Crooke’s cell adenoma
Crooke cell adenomas (CCA) are a rare and aggressive subtype of corticotrope tumors, with a prevalence of less than 1% pituitary adenomas, commonly manifest as Cushing’s syndrome. We present the case of a 62-year-old male with progressive lower limb oedema, hypertension, and severe refractory hypoka...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1468727/full |
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| Summary: | Crooke cell adenomas (CCA) are a rare and aggressive subtype of corticotrope tumors, with a prevalence of less than 1% pituitary adenomas, commonly manifest as Cushing’s syndrome. We present the case of a 62-year-old male with progressive lower limb oedema, hypertension, and severe refractory hypokalemia. In this case, severe hypercortisolism was identified with the presence of a pituitary microadenoma of 9×6 mm and adrenal bilateral hyperplasia. Ectopic hypercortisolism was discarded after further evaluation. The patient was taken to a transsphenoidal endoscopic resection with complete resolution of symptoms. Histopathological and microscopic studies revealed findings consistent with Crooke cells compatible with Crooke cell adenoma. This tumor subtype exhibits a heterogeneous clinical presentation and is infrequently reported in the literature. Consequently, it represents an unpredictable clinical entity with a variable medical course. |
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| ISSN: | 2296-858X |