Severe Cushing’s syndrome and bilateral pulmonary nodules: beyond ectopic ACTH

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease that results from prolonged exposure to supraphysiological levels of glucocorticoids. Severe and rapidly progressive cases are often, but not exclusively, attributable to ectopic ACTH secretion. Extreme hypercortisolism usually has florid metabolic consequences a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carlos Tavares Bello, Emma van der Poest Clement, Richard Feelders
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Bioscientifica 2017-11-01
Series:Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports
Online Access:https://www.edmcasereports.com/articles/echo-research-and-practice/10.1530/EDM-17-0100
Description
Summary:Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease that results from prolonged exposure to supraphysiological levels of glucocorticoids. Severe and rapidly progressive cases are often, but not exclusively, attributable to ectopic ACTH secretion. Extreme hypercortisolism usually has florid metabolic consequences and is associated with an increased infectious and thrombotic risk. The authors report on a case of a 51-year-old male that presented with severe Cushing’s syndrome secondary to an ACTH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma, whose diagnostic workup was affected by concurrent subclinical multifocal pulmonary infectious nodules. The case is noteworthy for the atypically severe presentation of Cushing’s disease, and it should remind the clinician of the possible infectious and thrombotic complications associated with Cushing’s syndrome.
ISSN:2052-0573
2052-0573