The clinical analysis of severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the methods and efficacy of treatment on severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome. Methods The clinical data of 22 cases with severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome ( severe group) , and 136 cases with mild or moderate adrenal Cushing′s syndrome ( non-severe group) were reviewed. The clinical features were analyzed by comparing the differences between these two groups when patients were admitted to hospital. We discussed the clinical managements of patients with severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome by comparing the differences with non-severe group after preoperative preparation, and with themselves before and after preoperative preparation. The effects of surgery were evaluated by comparing the differences between pre-operation and post-operation on patients with severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome. Results At admission, serum/urine cortisol, disease course, and blood pressure were significantly higher in the severe group than those in non-severe group ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) , serum potassium and ACTH level were decreased significantly in the severe group than those innon-severegroup[(3.01±0.75vs3.62±0.48)mmol/L,P＜0.01;(6.47±2.91vs8.21±3.22)pg/ml,P＜0.01] . However, no significant difference was observed in diastolic blood pressure, serum potassium, and fasting plasma glucose between these two groups after preoperative preparation (all P＞0.05). And then, we performed adrenalectomy. The symptoms of 22 cases with severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome were obviously alleviated after 3 months. During follow-up, 5 cases of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia ( BMAH) and 1 case of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease ( PPNAD ) were treated with contralateral adrenalectomy. Conclusion Sufficient preoperative preparation is essential for patients with severe adrenal Cushing′s syndrome because of its high level serum cortisol with severe complications. If preparation fails before surgery, cortisol-lowering medication or emergency unilateral adrenalectomy is necessary. Severe patients with BMAH and PPNAD were firstly performed unilateral adrenalectomy and followed-up closely, and then, contralateral adrenalectomy is needed when the recurrence of hypercortisolism recognized.