Cushing’s Syndrome
Adrenal Hypersecretion
Difference between Cushing’s Syndrome and Cushing’s Disease
- Hyperactivity of adrenal cortex may be due to primary defect in adrenal gland itself is called as the Cushing’s Syndrome.
- While Cushing’s Disease is produced by excessive production of ACTH from pituitary or ectopic ACTH production by other malignant tumors.
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Cushing’s Syndrome presents with the following symptoms and signs. These symptoms and signs become more and more significant as the disease progresses and if not treated.
Symptoms
- Central weight gain
- Change in appearance
- Depression
- Amenorrhea / oligomenorrhea
- Poor libido
- Thin skin / easy bruising
- Hair growth / acne
- Muscular weakness
- Growth arrest in children
- Back pain
- Polyuria, polydipsia
- Psychosis
Signs
- Moon face
- Plethora
- Depression / psychosis
- Acne hirsutism frontal balding in females
- Thin skin
- Bruising
- Poor wound healing
- Pigmentation
- Skin infections
- Hypertension
- Osteoporosis
- Pathological fractures (especially in vertebrae and ribs)
- Kyphosis
- ‘Buffalo hump’ – dorsal fat pad
- Central obesity
- Striae (purple or red)
- Rib fractures
- Oedema
- Proximal myopathy
- Proximal muscle wasting
- Glycosuria
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