[Whited Addison's disease. Eight cases (author's transl)].

In 8 cases of Addison's disease due to adrenal tuberculosis, the substitutive treatment appeared unnecessary since more than one year. Urinary 17-OHCS were in the normal range but did not rise after ACTH injection except in two cases. In all the cases, plasma ACTH was elevated but lower than in severe adrenal insufficiency, and in the range of those observed in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The nycthemeral variation of plasma ACTH were maintained. Therefore, an apparently normal basal cortico-adrenal function was obtained by an excessive stimulation by endogenous ACTH. The one year prescription of anti-tuberculosis chimiotherapy to 6 of these patients was possibly responsible for the partial reversal of adrenal insufficiency. However the substutive therapy appears needless in every day life, such a treatment would eventually be necessary during stress conditions.