Cushing's Syndrome Flashcards
cushing’s syndrome
signs + symptoms that develop after prolonged elevation of cortisol
Cushing’s disease
specific condition where pituitary adenoma secreted excessive ACTH
causes a cushing’s syndrome
cushing’s syndrome features
moon face central obesity abdo striae buffalo hump proximal limb wasting hypertension cardiac hypertrophy hyperglycaemia insomnia depression osteoporosis easy bruising poor skin healing
causes of cushing’s syndrome
exogenous steroids
cushing’s disease
adrenal adenoma
paraneoplastic cushing’s
most common cause of paraneoplastic cushings
small cell lung cancer
dexamethasone suppresion test
Ix of choice
dose of dexamethasone at night and cortisol and ACTH measured in morning
find out if dexamethasone suppresses normal morning spike of cortisol
low dose dexamethasone suppresion test - low cortisol
normal
low dose dexamethasone suppresion test - high/normal cortisol
Cushing’s syndrome
high dose dexamethasone suppresion test - low cortisol
cushing’s disease
high dose dexamethasone suppresion test - high/normal cortisol
low ACTH = Adrenal cushing’s
high ACTH = ectopic ACTH
Treatment
remove underlying cause
blood gas result
hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis
