Med. Pro Praxi 2009; 6(6): 295-299

Cushing‘s syndrome - characteristics, diagnostics and treatment

MUDr. Viktória Ďurovcová, prof. MUDr. Michal Kršek, CSc

III. interní klinika VFN a 1. LF UK, Praha

Cushing‘s syndrome (CS, syndrome caused by elevated blood and tissue levels of glucocorticoids) is a quite rare disease. It is necessary

to think of it in patients with hardly treatable arterial hypertension and signs of metabolic syndrome with some specific characteristics.

These patients are usually defined by central obesity and/or unexpected weight gain, moon face, skin changes – especially purple

striae and easy bruising, menstruation cycle disturbances in fertile women, development of osteoporosis, muscle weakness and pain,

psychical changes, etc. Two types of methods are used in the diagnostics of CS – methods for detection of the presence of hypercortisolism

and methods for localization of the source of hormonal overproduction. The treatment of CS is mainly surgical but radiation and

pharmacotherapy are important as well. With regard to the severity of this disease and its complications the diagnosis and treatment of

patients with CS belong to specialized endocrinological and surgical centers. The most important thing is to think about the possibility

of this diagnosis in the first contact with the patient so he can be sent to these centers.

Keywords: Cushing‘s syndrome, arterial hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diagnosis, treatment.

Published: January 1, 2010  Show citation