CUSHING’S DISEASE: DIAGNOSIS THROUGH THE NOSE. A CASE REPORT

Abstract

In Cushing’s disease clinical symptoms are usually related to the ACTH hypersecretion. On diagnosis these secreting tumours tend to be small due to their ability to reach clinical detection early.

However, symptoms may also be caused by mass-related effects such as the depression of secretion of other pituitary hormones. Furthermore growth related symptoms may occur due to the invasion of the suprasellar region with compression of the visual system.

As we illustrate in a case report, when spreading of pituitary adenoma occurs to the infrasellar region, Cushing disease may manifest itself by rather atypical initial symptoms that are more related to ear-nose-throat (ENT) complaints.

In these invasive macro adenomas multimodal therapy is usually required to achieve control of hypersecretion and mass related symptoms.

Keywords:

• Cushing disease
• mass related effects
• ENT
• endonasal biopsy