title: The neurosurgical management of Cushing's disease.
abstract: Cushing's disease and its associated clinical syndrome reflect the effects of excess cortisol on the individual. The cause of Cushing's disease is ordinarily an ACTH-secreting benign pituitary adenoma. The diagnosis of Cushing's disease is established by sophisticated endocrine testing and comprehensive imaging studies. Because of the devastating effects of excess cortisol, therapy that provides prompt and effective normalization of serum cortisol is essential. Currently, this goal is best achieved by transsphenoidal microsurgery. This paper reviews the clinical presentation, laboratory analysis, surgical management and outcome in patients with Cushing's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0212, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reitmeyer
authors.forename: Mary Lee
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vance
authors.forename: Edward R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Laws
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013100:Sphenoid Bone
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone