[Chronic adrenal failure secondary to an isolated deficiency of ACTH. Presentation of 2 new cases].

Chronic adrenal failure due to hypothalamic-hypophyseal disorders is rarely encountered. This can be due to hormonal deficiencies generally related to the presence of a brain tumor or an infiltrating process and sometimes to an isolated deficiency of ACTH. We report on two patients with adrenal failure with low basal cortisol levels and a poor response to short cortisol stimulation test with ACTH. Long cortisol stimulation test with ACTH was normal and ACTH was not stimulated with corticotropin releasing factor. However, other specific dynamic pituitary hormonal tests were normal. The uncommon clinical presentation of the disease, such as severe hypoglycemic crisis and fever of unknown origin (FUO), is underscored.