hyperadrenocorticalism

Excessive secretion of adrenocortical hormones, especially cortisol. Also called hypercortisolism.

Disease caused by hyperactivity of the adrenal cortices. May be caused by a corticotropic adenoma of the pituitary or by overtreatment with corticosteroids. The clinical picture is that of cushing's syndrome.

• iatrogenic h. — induced by the administration of corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases. Seen with increasing frequency in small animals, particularly dogs.
• juvenile h. — reported in dogs; likely to result in stunted growth in addition to other clinical signs of Cushing's syndrome.
• pituitary-dependent h. (PDH) — see cushing's syndrome.