[Endogenous hypercortisolism and immunologically-mediated disease: three cases].
METHODS
We report three women with hypercortisolism presenting with symptoms and signs of Cushing's syndrome. In two of the patients, initial symptoms of hypercortisolism were associated with spontaneous amelioration of previously known atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, respectively.


METHODS
Diagnosis was established by demonstrating both lack of responsiveness to dexamethasone (1mg) suppression test and increased 24-hour urine cortisol secretion. One patient had a low serum ACTH level indicating Cushing's syndrome of adrenal origin. In the other two patients hypercortisolism proved to be ACTH-dependent, the source being the pituitary, as demonstrated by CRH stimulation test (elevation of ACTH and cortisol by 35 % and 20 %, respectively) and sampling of the petrosus sinus. In both patients imaging confirmed the presence of a pituitary adenoma.


METHODS
All three patients underwent successful surgery: the first patient had an adrenalectomy, the other two transseptal transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. As symptoms and signs of hypercortisolism improved, the previously quiescent signs of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis recurred and one patient developed Graves' disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Following successful treatment of endogenous hypercortisolism, symptoms of unrelated immunologically mediated conditions, especially autoimmune thyroiditis, may occasionally appear. Furthermore, the clinical course of coexisting immunologically mediated diseases may help to diagnose Cushing's syndrome and to monitor the patients after surgical treatment.
Sahli
R
R
Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Berne, Inselspital, Bern.
Diem
P
P
Christ
E R
ER
D000328:Adult; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology