Case 50-1986: A 73-Year-Old Woman with Dyspnea, Anemia, and an Adrenal Mass

Presentation of Case A 73-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea. She was apparently well until 10 or more years earlier, when arthralgia developed. Seven months before admission a corticosteroid was administered because of arthritis. Three months before entry the steroid medication was discontinued because of ecchymoses on the arms. For an uncertain interval the patient had experienced dyspnea and weakness on getting out of a chair and on standing. Five weeks before admission the patient came to the Emergency Ward of this hospital because of increasing dyspnea. Examination showed that she was afebrile, and the blood . . .