Diagnosis and Multimodality Management of Cushing's Disease: A Practical Review

Prevalence of perioperative asymptomatic venous thromboses of the lower extremity in 30 consecutive patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease

Cushing´s disease is a rare endocrinological disorder which is caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting pituitary adenoma. The condition is associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolism. While there exist reports on symptomatic venous thromboses complicating Cushing's disease, the prevalence of incidental leg vein thromboses accompanying pituitary surgery for Cushing's disease is yet unknown. 30 consecutive patients (9 male; age 25-77 years) with histologically confirmed Cushing's disease underwent transsphenoidal adenomectomy between October 2018 and September 2019. All patients received perioperative pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Whole leg compression ultrasound was performed within one week after surgery (median 2 days) to exclude leg vein thromboses (primary endpoint). Preoperative laboratory values including plasma cortisol and various coagulation parameters were evaluated as secondary outcome measures. A comparison was made between patients with and without thrombotic events (p value ≤ 0.05). A total of 2 out of 30 patients (6.7%; CI 0.8-24.1%) presented with asymptomatic perioperative deep vein thromboses of the lower legs. Thrombosis patients differed not significantly from their counterparts with respect to age, sex, and comorbidities, but preoperative morning plasma cortisol was significantly higher in patients with venous thromboses (421.0 ± 49.5 μg/l vs. 188.1 ± 78.2 μg/l; p = 0.01). Moreover, von Willebrand factor activity was markedly increased in one case (409.0%) compared to the mean value obtained from 28 patients without phlebothromboses (146.9 ± 60.7%; p < 0.01). Perioperative asymptomatic leg vein thrombosis can be found with the aid of compression ultrasound in a considerable proportion of patients undergoing transsphenoidal adenomectomy for Cushing's disease despite the administration of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.

Clinical profile and treatment outcomes of patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome compared to Cushing disease: a single-center experience

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical, biochemical and radiological profile and outcomes of patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) and Cushing disease (CD) treated over a period of 10 years (2013-2022).

METHODS

In this ambispective observational study, we collected data for 146 patients with ACTH-dependent CS (EAS, n = 23; CD, n = 94; occult ACTH source, n = 29). Relevant details were filled in a predesigned proforma and outcomes were ascertained at the most recent visit.

RESULTS

EAS was more common in males (65.2 vs. 27.6%, p < 0.001). Patients with EAS had a shorter duration of symptoms [12 (6-12) vs. 31.5 (15-48) months, p < 0.001] and were more likely to have hypokalemia (82.6 vs. 21.0%, p = 0.001), pedal edema (65.2 vs. 34.2%, p = 0.015), weight loss (34.8 vs. 4.0%, p < 0.001) and systemic infection (30.4 vs. 6.5%, p = 0.006). They also had significantly higher 8 a.m. serum cortisol, midnight serum and salivary cortisol and 8 a.m. plasma ACTH levels. Bronchial carcinoid (n = 10, 43.5%) was the most common etiology of EAS. Bilateral adrenalectomy was performed in 11 (47.8%) patients with EAS. Eight patients (34.8%) with EAS died at the last follow-up, of whom 7 (87.5%) had metastatic disease. In CD group, overall remission rate was 69.4% (56.1%, early and 13.3%, delayed) and 26.3% of patients with an initial remission had recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchial carcinoid was the most common cause of EAS in our cohort. Bilateral adrenalectomy was performed in approximately every 1 in 2 patients with EAS and approximately every 1 in 3 patients expired till the last follow-up.

Knuckle lesions in inherited and acquired disorders

Skin lesions occurring over the knuckles can be a primary or characteristic manifestation of a disorder. Characteristic knuckle lesions may also be important cutaneous features of various internal disorders when they serve as useful clinical pointers, as well as may speak of the disease severity in certain instances. Furthermore, knuckle lesions also speak of various external factors as the underlying cause of the disease/lesions, such as trauma - occupational or otherwise, and contact dermatitis. Although knuckles essentially imply dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joints, many of the lesions described as those 'involving the knuckles' are seen over the proximal and/or less frequently, the distal interphalangel joints as well. This review presents a compilation of various inherited and acquired dermatoses and dermatological manifestations of various internal disorders associated with different forms of knuckle lesions.

Osilodrostat for the treatment of Cushing's disease

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of Cushing's disease (CD) has been advanced well with the introduction of treatment options like transsphenoidal surgery, radiosurgery, bilateral adrenalectomy, and various classes of medication; however, many patients still fail to achieve disease remission. Osilodrostat, an orally bioavailable adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitor, was approved in the USA and EU in 2020 for the treatment of CD.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of Cushing's disease and the newly FDA approved 11β-hydroxylase inhibitor, osilodrostat, for CD with a focus on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy data, and phase 2 and 3 clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

Osilodrostat has proven clinical efficacy and tolerability in phase 2 and 3 trials with CD patients who had an inadequate or reoccurring response to transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) and conventional first-line treatment. The phase 3 trial (LINC3) had 86% of the treatment group respond with normal urinary free cortisol (UFC) level compared to 29% in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Deemed as well-tolerated in all current pivotal trials, oral osilodrostat provides a noninvasive option for patients who cannot undergo surgery or patients who have reoccurring hypercortisolemia.

Retinal vein occlusion as the presenting feature of Cushing's syndrome

A 53-year-old man presented to his optician with blurring of vision in the right eye and was diagnosed to have branch retinal vein occlusion. Over the following 3 months, he had further progressive visual impairment due to right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and then left CRVO. Soon thereafter, during a hospital admission for infected submandibular gland, he was noted to have secondary hypothyroidism and persistent hypokalaemia which led to the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. This case was unusual as the patient did not manifest any classical features of Cushing's syndrome at the time of presentation with bilateral CRVO, and only 3 months later had dramatic weight loss, muscle weakness and acute psychosis. He received intravenous etomidate and underwent emergency transsphenoidal hypophysectomy with dramatic clinical and biochemical improvement and complete visual recovery in the left eye but unfortunately vision in the right eye remained limited to hand movements.

Comprehensive Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Cushing Disease: Two-Dimensional Angiographic and Operative Video

Cushing disease (CD), or hypercortisolemia secondary to an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting (ACTH-secreting) pituitary adenoma, is the most common etiology of noniatrogenic Cushing syndrome.¹ The diagnostic algorithm employed in the patient with suspected CD is complex and includes consideration for inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS).^2,3 When workup is consistent with CD, extracapsular resection of the ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma through the endonasal corridor is the preferred operative strategy.⁴ In this publication, we discuss the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with 9 months of weight gain (Video 1). Initial labs, including low- and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, were consistent with CD. Findings on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging were suggestive of a left 2-mm microadenoma. IPSS confirmed central origin of hypercortisolemia and was indicative of a left-sided focus. The patient was taken to the operating room for endoscopic endonasal approach for extracapsular resection of left-sided, ACTH-secreting microadenoma. Following surgery, the patient required glucocorticoid supplementation after her cortisol levels decreased to 2 ug/dL the evening of surgery. Subsequent laboratory analysis has been consistent with hormonal cure.^5,6 The accompanying video manuscript describes 1) preoperative diagnostic evaluation of the patient with suspected CD, 2) indications for and techniques of IPSS, 3) nuances of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgical management, and 4) relevant considerations in postoperative care. Of note, full patient consent for photography and/or recording of other forms of video/imaging was obtained in the preoperative period.^7-10.

Safety and Effectiveness of the Direct Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Primary Sellar Pathology: A Contemporary Case Series of More Than 400 Patients

BACKGROUND

The direct endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has become the primary technique used for resection of sellar pathology, meriting investigation into the risk factors for complications and predictors of postoperative outcomes after direct EEA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the patient and tumor characteristics from 404 patients who had undergone direct EEA for sellar pathology at the USC Pituitary Center from September 2011 to December 2019.

RESULTS

Of the 404 pathologic entities included, 349 (86%) were pituitary adenomas (PAs), 29 (7%) were Rathke cleft cysts, and 26 (6%) were other sellar lesions. The mean lesion diameter was 2.3 cm, with 34 microadenomas (10%) and 315 macroadenomas (90%). Cavernous sinus invasion was present in 39% of the PAs. No patient died. The surgical complications included internal carotid artery injury without neurological sequelae (0.2%), vision loss (0.7%), meningitis (0.7%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (4%), epistaxis (4%), sinusitis (1%), transient cranial nerve paresis (0.5%), and postoperative abscess (0.25%). New hypopituitarism developed in 3%. Gross total resection was achieved in 208 PA cases (58%). Clinical improvement of headaches and visual deficits were reported for 67% and 76% of cases, respectively. Hormonal remission was achieved in 82% of patients with functional PAs. The median hospital stay was 2 days, with 34 patients (8%) readmitted within 30 days and 10 (3%) undergoing early reoperation. Disease recurrence or progression developed in 10% and was less likely in the case of gross total resection and apoplexy.

CONCLUSION

In the present, large, consecutive, mostly single-surgeon series, the patients experienced clinical improvement in most preoperative symptoms and had low rates of perioperative morbidity. We have demonstrated that direct EEA can be efficiently, safely, and successfully performed by a neurosurgical team.

Prevalence of Signs and Symptoms of Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome Before and After Transsphenoidal Surgery for Cushing's Disease - A Prospective Consecutive Case Series

INTRODUCTION

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) has anecdotally been described after successful treatment of Cushing's disease (CD), but the prevalence following transsphenoidal surgery has not been determined so far in a prospective study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

41 consecutive adult CD patients were prospectively screened for signs and symptoms of PTCS, headache-related impairment, and ophthalmological features associated with intracranial pressure elevation before surgery and at follow-up (mean 4 months).

RESULTS

Biochemical remission was achieved in 36 of 41 (87.8%) patients after surgery. The most frequent preoperative complaints were visual acuity impairment (19 cases; 46.3%), headache (13 cases; 31.7%), and ear noise (9 cases; 22.0%). A significant reduction of visual disturbances was seen at follow-up. Overall, CD patients presented with fairly low headache-related emotional and functional restrictions before and after surgery. One of 34 (2.9%) patients with sufficient ophthalmological follow-up showed new-onset papilledema combined with temporary worsening of visual acuity and scotoma.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a very low frequency of signs and symptoms of PTCS after surgical treatment for CD in adults. This estimate is in line with previous outcomes from retrospective pediatric CD series. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine the actual prevalence of this condition following biochemical remission of CD.

Comparison of Constructive Interference in Steady-State and T1-Weighted MRI Sequence at Detecting Pituitary Adenomas in Cushing's Disease Patients

Background  T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the standard pituitary imaging sequence. However, up to 50% of pituitary adenomas are missed with standard imaging in Cushing's disease (CD) patients. Utility of other imaging sequences needs be explored. Objective  To compare a T2-gradient echo sequence, constructive interference in steady state (CISS), with a contrast-enhanced (CE) T1-weighted sequence, volume-interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE), in the detection of pituitary adenomas in CD patients. Design  Retrospective analysis of CD patients who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy at our institution. Patients and Measurement  Twelve patients were included in the study. Two neuroradiologists, who were blinded to the patients' clinical and surgical findings, independently reviewed the CE-VIBE and CISS images. Localization of pituitary adenoma from imaging was compared with intraoperative localization. Results  The averaged sensitivity of detecting pituitary adenoma in CD patients was not significantly different between CE-VIBE sequence (63%) and CISS sequence (54%). The positive predictive value was 75% (Observer A) and 100% (Observer B) with CE-VIBE sequence, and 64% (Observer A) and 100% (Observer B) with CISS sequence. In two patients, pituitary adenoma was easily localized with CISS sequence but hard to detect with CE-VIBE sequence. In two other patients, the adenoma was much better delineated on CE-VIBE sequence. Conclusion  In our series, the addition of CISS sequence to T1-weighted MRI imaging protocols improved the detection of pituitary adenomas in CD patients. CISS sequence may be a useful adjunct to T1-weighted pituitary MRI protocols and an appropriate alternative for patients with gadolinium contraindications.

Cushing Syndrome: Diagnostic Workup and Imaging Features, With Clinical and Pathologic Correlation

OBJECTIVE

Cushing syndrome (CS) is a constellation of clinical signs and symptoms resulting from chronic exposure to excess cortisol, either exogenous or endogenous. Exogenous CS is most commonly caused by administration of glucocorticoids. Endogenous CS is subdivided into two types: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependent and ACTH independent.

CONCLUSION

Cushing disease, which is caused by a pituitary adenoma, is the most common cause of ACTH-dependent CS for which pituitary MRI can be diagnostic, with bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling useful in equivocal cases. In ectopic ACTH production, which is usually caused by a tumor in the thorax (e.g., small cell lung carcinoma, bronchial and thymic carcinoids, or medullary thyroid carcinoma) or abdomen (e.g., gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or pheochromocytoma), CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine tests are used for localizing the source of ACTH. In ACTH-independent CS, which is caused by various adrenal abnormalities, adrenal protocol CT or MRI is usually diagnostic.

LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF THE DIFFERENT TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES FOR RECURRENT AND PERSISTENT CUSHING DISEASE

OBJECTIVE

Treatment alternatives for persistent and recurrent Cushing disease (CD) include pituitary surgical re-intervention, radiation therapy (RT), pharmacotherapy, and bilateral adrenalectomy (BA). The decision of which of these alternatives is better suited for the individual patient rests on clinical judgment and the availability of resources. This retrospective cohort study was performed at a referral center to evaluate the long-term efficacy of different secondary interventions for persistent and recurrent CD.

METHODS

We evaluated the hospital charts of 84 patients (77 female, median age 34 years, median follow up 6.3 years) with CD diagnosed, treated, and followed at our multidisciplinary clinic according to a pre-established protocol.

RESULTS

Of the 81 patients who were initially treated with transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), 61.7% had a long-lasting remission, 16% had persistent disease, and 22% achieved remission but relapsed during follow-up. The most frequently used secondary treatment was pituitary re-intervention, followed by ketoconazole, RT, and BA. Early remissions were observed in 66.6% of the re-operated and in 58.3% of the radiated patients; long-lasting remission was achieved in 33.3% and 41.6% of these patients, respectively. Nelson syndrome developed in 41.6% of the patients who underwent BA. Upon last follow-up, 88% of all the patients are in remission, and 9.5% are biochemically controlled with ketoconazole.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of treatment alternatives for recurrent or persistent CD varies considerably among patients and multiple interventions are often required to achieve long-lasting remission.

ABBREVIATIONS

ACTH = adrenocorticotrophic hormone; BA = bilateral adrenalectomy; CBG = cabergoline; CD = Cushing disease; CV = coefficient of variation; DXM = dexamethasone; IQR = interquartile range; RT = radiation therapy; SRS = stereotactic radiosurgery; TSS = transsphenoidal surgery; UFC = urinary free cortisol; ULN = upper limit of normal.

Surgical management of adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas

Cushing's disease is defined as hypercortisolemia caused by secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone from a pituitary adenoma. The diagnosis of Cushing's disease is based on clinical symptoms, laboratory and imaging findings. Once an adrenocorticotropic-hormone-secreting adenoma is found, the standard of care is transsphenoidal adenomectomy. MRI negative microadenomas and large, invasive macroadenomas provide a surgical and clinical challenge and are best handled at high volume centers. Multiple options exist for refractory disease or recurrence, including repeat surgery, radiosurgery and radiotherapy, medical management and bilateral adrenalectomy.

Cushing's disease: predicting long-term remission after surgical treatment

Cushing's disease (CD) is a state of excess glucocorticoid production resulting from an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)–secreting pituitary adenoma. The gold-standard treatment for CD is transsphenoidal adenomectomy. In the hands of an experienced neurosurgeon, gross-total resection is possible in the majority of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, with early postoperative remission rates ranging from 67% to 95%. In contrast to the strong data in support of resection, the clinical course of postsurgical persistent or recurrent disease remains unclear. There is significant variability in recurrence rates, with reports as high as 36% with a mean time to recurrence of 15–50 months. It is therefore important to develop biochemical criteria that define postsurgical remission and that may provide prognosis for long-term recurrence. Despite the use of a number of biochemical assessments, there is debate regarding the accuracy of these tests in predicting recurrence. Here, the authors review the various biochemical criteria and assess their utility in predicting CD recurrence after resection.

Cushing's Disease: The Relevance of a Combined Dexamethasone Desmopressin Test as a Component of Postoperative Hormonal Evaluation

Background. The risk of Cushing's disease (CD) recurring may persist for years, even after initially successful surgery. Objective. To prospectively assess the relevance of a combined dexamethasone desmopressin test (CDDT) as a component of postoperative hormonal evaluation, including the dynamics of ACTH and cortisol concentrations. Material and Methods. We included 28 patients after TSS for CD. Eighteen months after surgery the standard hormonal evaluation was performed, followed by a CDDT. Results. Fifteen patients (53.6%) were in remission whereas in 13 subjects (46.4%) hypercortisolemia was confirmed. Positive results of CDDT were observed in 12 noncured patients (92.3%) and in one subject in remission (6.7%). Negative results were obtained in 12 patients with remission (80%) and in one noncured patient (7.7%). With 2 patients in CD remission (13.3%) the test results were inconclusive. We confirmed a high compatibility between CDDT and standard hormonal assessment results (κ = 0.846; P < 0.001). Significant differences in ACTH and cortisol levels at each CDDT time point between the two studied subgroups were shown. Conclusions. A negative CDDT result can be regarded as one of the factors indicative of CD remission during follow-up. Additionally, CDDT can help distinguish persistent hypercortisolemia from naturally recurring adrenal function after TSS.

Downregulation of Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 is associated with ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma growth

BACKGROUND

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome, called Cushing disease, is caused by a corticotroph tumor of the pituitary gland. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP6), which regulates insulin-like growth factor (IGF) activity and inhibits several IGF2-dependent cancer growths, plays a pivotal role in the tumorigenesis of malignancy, but its roles in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate IGFBP6 expression in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, and its involvement in tumor growth.

METHODS

Sporadic ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas specimens (n = 41) and adjacent non-tumorous pituitary tissues (n = 9) were collected by transphenoidal surgery. IGFBP6 expression was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and validated by Western blotting. Associations of IGFBP6 expression with maximum tumor diameter or Ki-67 labeling index were evaluated in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

RESULTS

IGFBP6 mRNA and protein expression were both decreased in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, compared to adjacent non-tumorous pituitary tissues (P < 0.01). IGFBP6 expression was correlated inversely with maximum tumor diameter (Rho = -0.53, P < 0.0001) and Ki-67 levels (Rho = -0.52, P < 0.05). Moreover, IGFBP6 downregulation activated PI3 K-AKT-mTOR pathway in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

CONCLUSIONS

IGFBP6 attenuation in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas is associated with tumor growth, through activation of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. The finding underlies IGFBP6 roles in Cushing disease and would potentially provide a novel target of medical therapies.

Detection of recurrent Cushing's disease: proposal for standardized patient monitoring following transsphenoidal surgery

Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is first-line treatment for Cushing’s disease (CD), a devastating disorder of hypercortisolism resulting from overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone by a pituitary adenoma. Surgical success rates vary widely and disease may recur years after remission is achieved. Recognizing CD recurrence can be challenging; although there is general acceptance among endocrinologists that patients need lifelong follow-up, there are currently no standardized monitoring guidelines. To begin addressing this need we created a novel, systematic algorithm by integrating information from literature on relapse rates in surgically-treated CD patients and our own clinical experiences. Reported recurrence rates range from 3 to 47 % (mean time to recurrence 16–49 months), emphasizing the need for careful post-surgical patient monitoring. We recommend that patients with post-operative serum cortisol <2 µg/dL (measured 2–3 days post-surgery) be monitored semiannually for 3 years and annually thereafter. Patients with post-operative cortisol between 2 and 5 µg/dL may experience persistent or subclinical CD and should be evaluated every 2–3 months until biochemical control is achieved or additional treatment is initiated. Post-operative cortisol >5 µg/dL often signifies persistent disease and second-line treatment (e.g., immediate repeat pituitary surgery, radiotherapy, and/or medical therapy) may be considered. This follow-up algorithm aims to (a) enable early diagnosis and treatment of recurrent CD, thereby minimizing the detrimental effects of hypercortisolism, and (b) begin addressing the need for standardized guidelines for vigilant monitoring of CD patients treated by TSS, as demonstrated by the reported rates of recurrence.

[Cushing's disease with negative imaging in adults]

In more than one third of patients with Cushing's disease, pituitary MRI does not identify a microadenoma. The diagnostic approach should be as rigorous as possible in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Improved pituitary MRI techniques, including dynamic sequences, optimal T1-weighted spin-echo MRI protocol, MRI technique of spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state, and using a 3-tesla magnet, improved the tumor detection rate, parallel to the performance of endocrine dynamic tests (CRH stimulation, desmopressin stimulation and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests). When a pituitary tumor is not convincingly identified, inferior petrosal sinus sampling remains the gold standard for diagnosis, and recently, new approaches (simultaneous prolactin measurement) could improve its sensitivity and specificity. Transsphenoidal surgery is the first-line treatment, with remission rates similar to those of patients with preoperative positive MRI. However, medical therapies play an important role after surgical failure or in a search for the onset of a visible tumor, especially with development of new drugs targeting the pituitary gland.