A -year-old female patient arrives at the outpatient clinic reporting a -month history of unexplained weight gain, severe fatigue, and frequent bruising. Her blood pressure is . Physical examination is notable for central adiposity, facial plethora, and wide, purplish striae on the lower abdomen. She denies taking any medications, including topical, inhaled, or intra-articular corticosteroids. The physician suspects an endogenous endocrine disorder. Arrange the following interventions in the most appropriate chronological sequence for the diagnosis and surgical management of this patient's condition.
- 1Perform a overnight dexamethasone suppression test to confirm endogenous hypercortisolism.
- 2Measure early morning plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration.
- 3Obtain a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen for anatomic localization.
- 4Perform a unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
- 5Administer postoperative maintenance hydrocortisone therapy to prevent adrenal crisis.
Cevap
The correct sequence for the diagnostic and surgical management of suspected Cushing syndrome is: 1) biochemical confirmation of hypercortisolism, 2) determination of ACTH dependence, 3) anatomic localization with imaging, 4) surgical resection, and 5) postoperative glucocorticoid replacement.
The evaluation of Cushing syndrome must follow a strict algorithmic approach to prevent diagnostic errors. First, endogenous hypercortisolism must be confirmed (e.g., via a dexamethasone suppression test). Second, a plasma ACTH level is drawn to differentiate ACTH-independent (adrenal) from ACTH-dependent (pituitary/ectopic) disease. Third, only after an ACTH-independent source is confirmed should adrenal imaging (CT) be obtained to localize the tumor. Proceeding to a unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy removes the offending lesion. Finally, because the chronic cortisol excess suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the contralateral adrenal gland is atrophic. Therefore, postoperative hydrocortisone is mandatory to prevent an acute adrenal crisis.
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Anahtar Kavram
The diagnostic workup and perioperative management sequence of ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome (adrenal adenoma).