Advances in the diagnosis and medical management of cushing’s syndrome

The clinical constellation of signs and symptoms consistent with glucocorticoid excess is termed Cushing syndrome (CS). The most common etiology for CS is the administration of exogenous glucocorticoids. This chapter will focus on endogenous forms of overt cortisol excess. Patients with CS present with a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from metabolic abnormalities to classical features of CS. Clinical presentation depends on the severity and duration of cortisol excess, and individual susceptibility. CS presents with high morbidity and mortality, especially if unrecognized or diagnosis is delayed. This chapter will describe epidemiology, diagnostic workup, clinical presentation, and management of various types of endogenous CS.