Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2005;210:49-52 (DOI: 10.1159/000081484)

  Key Words

• Acne
• Alopecia
• Dehydroepiandrosterone
• Hyperandrogenemia
• Hyperandrogenism
• Testosterone

  Abstract

Hyperandrogenism with hyperandrogenemia should be considered in those with severe acne of sudden onset or conspicuous male-pattern baldness with hairline recession, although the majority of female patients with acne or androgenetic alopecia possess no endocrine disorder. Herein we describe on the contrary 2 young women with primary amenorrhea displaying prominent hyperandrogenemia but subtle cutaneous manifestation. The first one presenting vertical alopecia had an elevated level of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (>800 µg/dl) and was suspected to be a case of late-onset, non-classical adrenal hyperplasia. The second case with mild acne had a soaring serum level of total testosterone >9,000 ng/dl derived from an androgen-secreting adrenal adenoma overexpressing steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, P₄₅₀ side-chain cleavage enzyme and aromatase. A careful patient history and a complete physical examination are mandatory in each individual female case with acne or alopecia. The possibility of adrenal tumor should be explored in patients with escalated circulating testosterone.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. WenChieh Chen
Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung University
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center
Ta-Pei Road 123, Niao-Sung Hisang, 833 Kaohsiung (Taiwan)
Tel. +886 7 731 7123 (2299), Fax +886 7 731 8762, E-Mail wchen@cgmh.org.tw

  Article Information

Received: February 26, 2004
Accepted: May 28, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 32