USE OF THE INTRAVENOUS ACTH TEST IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Abstract

Three cases are presented to illustrate the clinical use and interpretation of the intraven. ACTH test. The 1st patient, whose clinical picture simulated Addison''s disease, showed a prompt, normal response to ACTH. The 2d patient, who collapsed following major surgery, was shown to have no adrenal response to ACTH, allowing a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency to be made promptly and before most of the classic features of Addison''s disease had developed. The 3d patient, with evidence of multiple endocrine deficiencies, was shown to have a "delayed normal" response to ACTH, consistent with anterior pituitary deficiency. The eosinophil count and the urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticoids appear to be the most useful indices of adrenal function in conjunction with the intraven. admn. of ACTH.