Treatment of Cushing syndrome depends on diagnosis of etiology responsible for hypercortisolism in the body, which sometimes presents with a challenge. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling for ACTH levels, followed by peripheral venous sampling is a proven tool to be a gold standard for differentiating between peripheral and central cause of ACTH dependent Cushing syndrome. This case report is of an elderly female who presented as an outpatient in the endocrinology clinic of Aga Khan university hospital on 22/6/2017 with clinical features of hypercortisolism. After workup she was found to have cushing syndrome secondary to ACTH secreting bronchial carcinoid tumou

Ahmed, Asma

Azeemuddin, Muhammad

Hussain, Ayesha Shoukat

Khan, Shaheer

Khan, Shahmeer

Sayani, Raza

English

eCommons@AKU

eCommons@AKUDepartment of Radiology Medical College, PakistanJune 2019Challenges in diagnosis of disease reported 100years back: Cushing syndrome; recent advancesMuhammad AzeemuddinAga Khan University, muhammad.azeemuddin@aku.eduShahmeer KhanAga Khan University, shahmeer.khan@aku.eduAyesha Shoukat HussainAga Khan UniversityAsma AhmedAga Khan University, asma.ahmed@aku.eduRaza SayaniAga Khan University, raza.sayani@aku.eduSee next page for additional authorsFollow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_radiolRecommended CitationAzeemuddin, M., Khan, S., Hussain, A. S., Ahmed, A., Sayani, R., Khan, S. (2019). Challenges in diagnosis of disease reported 100years back: Cushing syndrome; recent advances. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 69(6), 899-901.Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_radiol/347AuthorsMuhammad Azeemuddin, Shahmeer Khan, Ayesha Shoukat Hussain, Asma Ahmed, Raza Sayani, andShaheer KhanThis article is available at eCommons@AKU: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_radiol/347Abstract Treatment of Cushing syndrome depends on diagnosis of etiology responsible for hypercortisolism in the body, which sometimes presents with a challenge. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling for ACTH levels, followed by peripheral venous sampling is a proven tool to be a gold standard for differentiating between peripheral and central cause of ACTH dependent Cushing syndrome. This case report is of an elderly female who presented as an outpatient in the endocrinology clinic of Aga Khan university hospital on 22/6/2017 with clinical features of hypercortisolism. After workup she was found to have cushing syndrome secondary to ACTH secreting bronchial carcinoid tumour. Keywords: Cushing syndrome, BIPSS, carcinoid Introduction Initially described in earlier part of the 20th century by surgeon Harvey Cushing , Cushing syndrome is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by excess levels of serum cortisol.1,2 It can occur secondary to multiple etiologies broadly classified as exogenous (iatrogenic) or endogenous (spontaneous).3 Endogenous Cushing Syndrome may occur secondary to primary adrenal hyper function however the most common etiology is the elevated ACTH levels which leads to adrenal hyper function and increased serum cortisol levels.4,5 Most common source of elevated ACTH levels is the pituitary adenoma in which case the complex is labeled as Cushing disease while in approximately 20% cases the source of elevated ACTH is ectopic. In this scenario the disease is labeled as ectopic Cushing syndrome.6 In the latter case the search of etiology sometimes presents as a challenge.7,8 Bilateral Inferior petrosal sinus sampling is considered gold standard for anatomical localization of Cushing disease.9 It helps distinguish whether the etiology is central or peripheral.10 Past studies reveal that Inferior petrosal sinus sampling has a sensitivity of 96 - 100% in determining the case of elevated ACTH.11 Here we present a case of a 67 years old female with Cushing syndrome secondary to carcinoid tumour of the lung in which BIPSS helped determine the cause of elevated serum cortisol levels. Case Report This is a case of a 67 years old female known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and depression referred from another city for evaluation in the outpatient endocrinology clinic of our hospital. The Patient complained of weight gain 8 kg in last 24 months, facial and feet swelling, central obesity, easy bruisability and muscle weakness. Her complaints had developed and exaggerated over time in the last few months. On physical assessment she was a wheel chair bound woman with rounded facies and oedema. Her systemic examination was unremarkable. Her lab work up revealed a normal complete blood count, renal function represented by creatinine and eGFR, however her electrolytes revealed a low serum potassium level measuring 2.6 mmol/l. Her Fasting and random blood glucose levels were raised above baseline representing a recent disturbance in control of her diabetes. Clinical findings raised the possibility of cushing syndrome. A 24 urine cortisol test was ordered which revealed an increase in urinary cortisol measuring >592 microgram/24 hours (Ref: 4.3 to 176) with urine volume 990 ml, confirming the clinical suspicion. A low dose dexamethasone overnight suppression test was carried out in which the patient was administered 1 mg of dexamethasone i/v overnight and the result was serum cortisol 43.5 microgram/dl revealing suppression of the cortisol levels and suggesting that no endogenous abnormality of cortisol secretion by adrenal gland was present ruling out the adrenal cause of cushing Vol. 69, No. 6, June 2019899CASE REPORT Challenges in diagnosis of disease reported 100 years back: Cushing syndrome; recent advances Muhammad Azeemuddin,1 Shahmeer Khan,2 Ayesha Shoukat Hussain,3 Asma Ahmed,4 Raza Sayani,5 Shaheer Khan61,2,5Department of Radiology, 5Department of Endocrinology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, 3Department of Pharmacology, Bahria University Medical And Dental College, Karachi, 6Medical Student, Baqai Medical University, Karachi. Correspondence: Shahmeer Khan. Email: shahmeer.khan@aku.eduTable: Post injection ratio of central to peripheral blood ACTH. Right Petrosal     Left Petrosal     Peripheral       Ratio Basal                                                  220 pg/ml               253 pg/ml           237 pg/ml          1.06 5 Minutes Post Vasopressin       231 pg/ml               297 pg/ml           186 pg/ml          1.59 10 Minutes Post Vasopressin     190 pg/ml               323 pg/ml           247 pg/ml          1.30syndrome. ACTH levels were performed and the result was elevated serum ACTH levels 205pg/ml (ref: 0-46pg/ml). The ACTH test was repeated and again found raised with the level of 157.2 pg/ml. A preliminary diagnosis of ACTH dependent hypercortisolism was established. MRI brain pituitary protocol was performed to exclude the possibility of pituitary adenoma. MRI brain revealed a questionable tiny pituitary microadenoma however upon re consultation and discussion amongst the departmental meeting a conclusion was reached that the finding was inconclusive to call it as cushing disease. To further investigate bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling was performed. After achieving Vascular Access through bilateral femoral veins. A 4 French vertebral catheter was placed in bilateral inferior petrosal sinuses. Samples were obtained pre vasopressin injection, post vasopressin injection at 5 minutes and 10 mins from both inferior petrosal sinuses and the peripheral blood. The results were as follows: The basal, 5 minute and 10 minute post injection ratio of central to peripheral blood ACTH (Table) was less than 2 on all occasions which excluded the central cause of Cushing's syndrome. So a CT scan of chest and abdomen was carried out in search for an ectopic source. CT scan chest axial sections revealed a small nodule in left upper lobe. The nodule was small and hence decision was made to follow it up and then perform biopsy. A follow up after a month revealed interval increase in size of the nodule. PET scan was performed which was negative for any other pulmonary or distant deposits. Left upper lobe lobectomy was performed and histopathology revealed typical carcinoid pulmonary tumour with no regional lymph nodes. Postsurgical laboratory levels revealed ACTH:13.63 pg/ml and a simultaneous normalization of serum cortisol levels. The final conclusive diagnosis was Ectopic cushing syndrome secondary to typical carcinoid pulmonary tumour. Discussion Cushing syndrome is complex metabolic disorder. Symptoms are secondary to the biochemical properties of excess cortisol in the body. The key to treatment of cushing syndrome depend on accurate and timely diagnosis of the etiology. Previously cases have been reported where delay in treatment lead to grave morbidity and sometimes mortality. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling is an invasive test in which the venous channels draining pituitary gland are sampled for ACTH levels. These venous channels are inferior petrosal sinuses. Simultaneously peripheral blood is sampled for ACTH levels. For further confirmation a post vasopressin induced stimulation samples are also obtained. Central to peripheral ratio of ACTH levels of greater than two is suggestive of central cause of elevated ACTH levels which is invariably a pituitary adenoma. BIPSS also enables the physician to establish the side on which the adenoma is located. It is also useful in cases where imaging findings are inconclusive, previously meta analyses have revealed 96 - 100% sensitivity of this test. The major limitation of this test is the lack of wide spread expertise available locally as well as international as well as error occurring during sampling. Despite these limitations BIPSS is an excellent tool in solving the complex riddle cushing syndrome. Conclusion Wide spread etiology and variable presentation may possess a challenge to the physician in diagnosing and treating hypercortisolism. Step wise multimodality approach as used in this patient along with biochemical J Pak Med Assoc900 M. Azeemuddin, S. Khan, A. S. Hussain, et alFigure: (Follow up un-enhanced CT scan axial section lung window after one month showing interval increase in the size of nodule in left upper lobe).marker analysis can result in timely and accurate diagnosis. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling provide a useful tool to the physician in solving this complex riddle. Disclaimer: None to declare. Conflict of Interest: None to declare. Funding Disclosure: None to declare. References 1. Lindholm J. Cushing's syndrome: historical aspects. Pituitary2000;3:97-104. 2. Pluta RM, Burke AE, Golub RM. JAMA patient page. Cushingsyndrome and Cushing disease. JAMA 2011;306:2742. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.1694. 3. Raff H, Sharma ST, Nieman LK. Physiological basis for the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of adrenal disorders: cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Compr Physiol 2014;4:739-69. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c130035. 4. Singh Y, Kotwal N, Menon AS. Endocrine hypertension - cushing's syndrome. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2011;15(Suppl 4):S313-6. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.86973. 5. Lila AR, Sarathi V, Jagtap VS, Bandgar T, Menon P, Shah NS.Cushing's syndrome: Stepwise approach to diagnosis. Indian JEndocrinol Metab 2011;15(Suppl 4):S317-21. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.86974. 6. Castinetti F, Morange I, Conte-Devolx B, Brue T. Cushing's disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2012;7:41. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-7-41. 7. Menezes Nunes J, Pinho E, Camões I, Maciel J, Cabral Bastos P,Souto de Moura C, et al. A challenging case of an ectopic cushing syndrome. Case Rep Med 2014;2014:e413136. doi:10.1155/2014/413136. 8. Kenchaiah M, Hyer S. Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic ACTHfrom bronchial carcinoid: a case report and review. Case RepEndocrinol 2012;2012:e215038. doi: 10.1155/2012/215038. 9. Lad SP, Patil CG, Laws ER Jr, Katznelson L. The role of inferiorpetrosal sinus sampling in the diagnostic localization of Cushing's disease. Neurosurg Focus 2007;23:E2. doi: 10.3171/foc.2007.23.3.3 10. Kharb S, Gundgurthi A, Pandit A, Garg MK, Brar KS, Singh A, et al.Inferior petrosal sinus sampling: final solution to a riddle called"Cushing's syndrome". Med J Armed Forces India 2013;69:74-7.doi: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2012.02.004. 11. Deipolyi AR, Oklu R. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling inthe diagnosis of Cushing disease. J Vasc Diagn Interv 2015;3:1–7.Vol. 69, No. 6, June 2019Challenges in diagnosis of disease reported 100 years back: Cushing syndrome; recent advances 901

Challenges in diagnosis of disease reported 100 years back: Cushing syndrome; recent advances

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Challenges in diagnosis of disease reported 100 years back: Cushing syndrome; recent advances

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