Severe Cushing’s syndrome and bilateral pulmonary nodules: beyond ectopic ACTH

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease that results from prolonged exposure to supraphysiological levels of glucocorticoids. Severe and rapidly progressive cases are often, but not exclusively, attributable to ectopic ACTH secretion. Extreme hypercortisolism usually has florid metabolic consequences and is associated with an increased infectious and thrombotic risk. The authors report on a case of a 51-year-old male that presented with severe Cushing’s syndrome secondary to an ACTH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma, whose diagnostic workup was affected by concurrent subclinical multifocal pulmonary infectious nodules. The case is noteworthy for the atypically severe presentation of Cushing’s disease, and it should remind the clinician of the possible infectious and thrombotic complications associated with Cushing’s syndrome. LEARNING POINTS: Severe Cushing’s syndrome is not always caused by ectopic ACTH secretion. Hypercortisolism is a state of immunosuppression, being associated with an increased risk for opportunistic infections. Infectious pulmonary infiltrates may lead to imaging diagnostic dilemmas when investigating a suspected ectopic ACTH secretion. Cushing’s syndrome carries an increased thromboembolic risk that may even persist after successful surgical management. Antibiotic and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be considered in every patient with severe Cushing’s syndrome.