Abstract

The diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome (hypercortisolism) are challenging problems in endocrine surgery. The Cushing’s phenotypes seen in some obese and alcoholics can make the accurate diagnosis difficult. An accurate, but simple screening test is vital if one is to find the relatively unusual patient with true endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. Once the diagnosis is made, the accurate differentiation of Cushing’s syndrome into its subtypes is essential so that the appropriate treatment option can be selected. The aim of this review is to focus on major issues confronting the endocrinologist and endocrine surgeon while considering the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome

Key words: Cushings syndrome, hypercortisolism, adrenalectomy