Cushing's%20syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Cushing’s syndrome is a condition which is due to prolonged exposure of the body tissue to excess cortisol (glucocorticoid hormone)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-Independent Cushing's Syndrome

Endogenous ACTH-Independent Cushing’s Syndrome

• Adrenal hypersecretion due to adrenal adenoma, adrenal carcinoma, micronodular hyperplasia, macronodular hyperplasia

Exogenous ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome

• Adrenal hypersecretion due to iatrogenic causes (eg drug-induced, corticosteroid use)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-Dependent Cushing's Syndrome

Cushing’s Disease

• Due to excessive secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone by pituitary corticotroph tumor

Ectopic Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)/Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) syndromes

• Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome is ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion due to small-cell lung carcinoma, associated with symptoms of hypertension, hypokalemia, edema, glucose intolerance
• Ectopic corticotropin-releasing hormone syndrome is ectopic corticotropin-releasing hormone secretion due mostly to bronchial carcinoid tumors

• Progressive obesity
  • Facial obesity manifested as "moon" face
  • Buffalo hump or dorsocervical fat pad
  • Enlarged fat pads in the supraclavicular fossae
  • Truncal obesity
  • Generalized obesity
• Facial plethora
• Wasting in the extremities
• Thin skin
• Acne
• Easy bruising
• Violaceous striae width >1 cm
• Hyperpigmentation
• Hirsutism (in women)
• Proximal muscle weakness
• Impotency in men
• Changes in libido
• Menstrual disorders
• Depression/lethargy
• Central serous chorioretinopathy
• Infection

Associated Clinical Conditions

• Osteoporosis/decreased bone density
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance
• Hyperlipidemia
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thromboembolism