title: [Cushing syndrome. The diagnostic and therapeutic challenges].
abstract: Endogenous hypercortisolism is characteristically a condition that should be diagnosed and treated in tertiary care centers with the participation of several specialists. Cushing's syndrome represents the clinical expression of a prolonged exposure to glucocorticoids, independently of its origin. The term Cushing's disease refers to the hypercortisolism that results from the excessive secretion of corticotropin (ACTH) by a pituitary microadenoma. The mechanisms that give rise to the different forms of hypercortisolism are complex and its precise differential diagnosis is one of the major challenges in modern endocrinology. This review focuses on current aspects of the pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Endocrinología, Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F. mmercadoa@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mercado
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Espinosa de los Monteros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male