Increased oestrogen production and adrenal cortical hyperfunction in patients with pulmonary disease and clubbing of the fingers.

Raised serum oestradiol levels were demonstrated in men and postmenopausal women with pulmonary disease and clubbing of the fingers. The site of production is thought to be a hyperfunctioning adrenal cortex; this conclusion is supported by the finding of elevated adrenocortical responses to intramuscular injection of adrenocorticotrophic hormone.