Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis

Cushing's syndrome or hypercortisolism is an endocrine disorder caused by excessive levels of the endogenous corticosteroid hormone cortisol. It may also be induced iatrogenically by treatment with exogenous corticosteroids for other medical conditions. It was discovered by American physician, surgeon and endocrinologist Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) and reported by him in 1932. Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms. Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing o ...

Including:

• Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms
• Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis
• Cushing's syndrome - Pathophysiology
• Cushing's syndrome - Therapy
• Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology
• Cushing's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Cushing's syndrome: Encyclopedia - Cushing's syndrome

When Cushing's is suspected, a dexamethasone suppression test (administration of dexamethasone and frequent determination of cortisol and ACTH levels) and 24-hour urinary measurement for cortisol have equal detection rates (Raff & Findling 2003). A novel approach is sampling cortisol in saliva over 24 hours, which may be equally sensitive. Other pituitary hormones may need to be determined, and performing physical examination directed for any visual field defect may be necessary if a pituitary lesion is suspected (which may compress the opti ...

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Cushing's syndrome, Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms, Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis, Cushing's syndrome - Pathophysiology, Cushing's syndrome - Therapy, Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology, Cushing's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Cushing's syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis

Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity), "moon face", excess sweating, telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), atrophy of the skin (which gets thin and bruises easily) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (known as a buffalo hum ...

See also:

Cushing's syndrome, Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms, Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis, Cushing's syndrome - Pathophysiology, Cushing's syndrome - Therapy, Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology, Cushing's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Cushing's syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms

If an adrenal adenoma is identified it may be removed by surgery. Pituitary ACTH producing adenoma should be removed after diagnosis. Regardless of the adenoma's location, most patients will require steroid replacement postoperatively at least in the interim as long-term suppression of pituitary ACTH and normal adrenal tissue does not recover immediately. Clearly, if both adrenals are removed replacement with hydrocortisone or prednisolone is imperative. In those patients not suitable for or unwilling to undergo surgery, several drugs have been found to inhibit cortisol sythesis (e.g. ketoconazole, ...

See also:

Cushing's syndrome, Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms, Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis, Cushing's syndrome - Pathophysiology, Cushing's syndrome - Therapy, Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology, Cushing's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Cushing's syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Cushing's syndrome - Therapy

Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome (caused by treatment with corticosteroids) is the most common form of Cushing's syndrome. Endogenous (i.e. non-iatrogenic) Cushing's syndrome is relatively rare. Incidence of causes of Cushing's syndrome per million person-years: Cushing's disease: 10 Primary adrenal: 3 Ectopic ACTH: 1.4 ...

See also:

Cushing's syndrome, Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms, Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis, Cushing's syndrome - Pathophysiology, Cushing's syndrome - Therapy, Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology, Cushing's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Cushing's syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology