[Corticotrophic adenomas with melanoderma (Nelson's syndrome). Two cases clinical and laboratory studies before and after spontaneous intercurrent necrosis (author's transl)].

Two cases of Nelson's syndrome (macroscopic cortico-melanotropic pituitary adenoma developing after bilateral total adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease) are reported. The unusual feature was spontaneous necrosis of the adenoma, as indicated by the rapid disappearance of melanoderma, the normalisation or decrease in plasma ACTH level, retraction in the diaphragm of the sella at air encephalography and autopsy findings in one case.