[Incidence and clinical features of pituitary tumours in cases of central Cushing's syndrome (author's transl)].

Approximately 10% of all patients with untreated central Cushing's syndromes have clinically verifiable tumours of the pituitary. After bilateral adrenalectomy 10 to 20% of patients with apparently normal pre-operative pituitary glands develop clinically and roentgenologically demonstrable pituitary tumours, of the so called Nelson type. These are usually very active chromophobe adenomas which are dangerous because they expand rapidly. They secretee considerable amounts of ACTH and MSH. A typical case is described.