[Obesity isn't always obesity: Cushing's disease - case report]

Abstract

Woman in her thirties presented to the emergency room with a two-week history of worsening headache and diplopia. For eight years she had suffered from progressive weight gain, diabetes and hypertension that didn't improve with lifestyle modification. A lumbar puncture demonstrated increased intracranial pressure and MRI a pituitary adenoma. Physical examination was consistent with Cushing's syndrome and endocrine workup confirmed Cushing's disease. Treatment was complex, including unsuccessful pituitary surgery and gamma knife radiosurgery, and eventually bilateral adrenalectomy with subsequent development of Nelsons syndrome. This case illustrates the diagnostic delay that many patients with CD suffer from.

Keywords: Cushing’s disease; Cushing’s syndrome; Nelsons syndrome; cortisol; pituitary adenoma.