Iqra Mumal, MSc,  —

While the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome is often based on a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (DST), test results may be affected by differences in the metabolism of the steroid medication, a study found. The researchers advocated for routine measurement of dexamethasone levels during DST, saying test results should…

People with Cushing’s syndrome often experience a rise in blood pressure that puts them at a significant risk of cardiovascular ills, but most improve within 10 days after surgery to treat their hypercortisolism, a study found. Nonetheless, fewer than half see their blood pressure normalized within one year of surgical…

People with Cushing’s disease are much more likely than others to develop blood clots, including rare ones in the brain, even after a pituitary surgery normalizes their cortisol levels, a case report shows. This finding suggests that patients should be managed with prophylactic (preventive) blood thinners from diagnosis and…

When Cushing’s disease is not caused by mutations in the USP8 gene — the main driver of ACTH-producing pituitary adenomas — it’s likely that mutations in USP48 or TP53 are to blame, a new study found. The study, “Driver mutations in USP8 wild type Cushing’s disease,” was published in the journal Neuro-Oncology.

Patients with Cushing’s disease may develop post-traumatic stress symptoms, which are generally resolved once they undergo surgery to remove the tumor, but can persist in some cases, a study shows. The study, “Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in patients with Cushing’s disease before and after surgery: A prospective…

In the modern era, three new cases of Cushing’s syndrome are being diagnosed annually per one million inhabitants, according to results from a study conducted in a region of Sweden. Also, more patients with ectopic Cushing’s syndrome are being diagnosed compared to prior reports, which researchers attribute to an increased awareness…

Clinical outcomes of Cushing’s disease patients who undergo endoscopic endonasal surgery to remove a pituitary adenoma are similar to those seen in patients who underwent previously used microscope-assisted techniques. According to a new study, that means despite the need for specialized training and equipment, using an endoscopic endonasal approach…

Giving corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to Cushing’s disease patients helps improve the detection of pituitary tumors on positron emission tomography (PET) scans, increasing the chances of a more successful surgery, a study shows. The study, “CRH stimulation improves 18F-FDG-PET detection of pituitary adenomas in Cushing’s disease,” was published in the journal…

Removal of pituitary adenomas by inserting surgical instruments through the nose (transsphenoidal resection) remains the best treatment option for pediatric patients, despite its inherent technical difficulties, a new study shows. The study, “Transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas in pediatric patients: a multicentric retrospective study,” was…

Patients with high levels of cortisol but no clinical symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome can instead have a disease known as glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, according to a case report that documented a woman who had glucocorticoid resistance syndrome but without its associated genetic mutation. The study, “Cushing’s syndrome with no…