Abstract

Cytomegaly, a unique and interesting morphologic change seen in the fetal zone of human adrenal gland, was first introduced by Kampmeier in 1927 as giant epithelial cells of the human fetal adrenal gland. It has been further described by Craig and Landing, Potter and Morrison, and Potter(1952) termed it "Cytomegaly of the adrenal gland." Although adrenal cytomegaly has coexistent conditions such as several congenital anomalies, erythroblastosis fetalis, congenital syphilis and Beckwith-Wiefemann syndrome, etc., the significance of it is not yet elucidated. We have reported three autopsy cases of adrenal cytomegaly. This three cases represent 0.42% in incidence of total 850 fetal and neonatal autopsies and 0.3% in incidence among 1,000 autopsies including adults. All three cases were found in fetus of 20 weeks of gestational age, still-birth baby of 37 weeks gestational age and newborn infant of 1 day old. One of three cases was associated with congenital syphilis. The other case showed adrenal cytomegaly in heterotopic adrenal nodule found in paratesticular area, and another case revealed in the adrenal gland without other combined disease.