Nelson’s syndrome [Donald H. Nelson, American physician, 1925–2010] , a pituitary adenoma that may follow bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing’s syndrome. It is characterized by a marked increase in the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone and melanocyte-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland and visual problems because of optic chiasm compression. Treatment includes irradiation to decrease pituitary function and in some cases hypophysectomy. See also Cushing’s disease.
