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Medical Disability Advisor  >  Cushings Syndrome  >  Failure To Recover

Cushing's Syndrome

Related Terms

  • Cushing's Disease
  • Hypercortisolism

Differential Diagnoses

Specialists

  • Endocrinologist
  • Family Practice Physician
  • General Surgeon
  • Neurosurgeon
  • Oncologist
  • Radiologist
  • Urologist

Comorbid Conditions

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Immune system disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders

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Factors Influencing Duration

Individuals who require surgery can be expected to spend several days in the hospital with additional recovery time at home. Untreated, Cushing's syndrome can be fatal.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
255 - Disorders of Adrenal Glands
255.0 - Disorders of Adrenal Glands, Cushings Syndrome; Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to Excess ACTH Cushings Syndrome NOS, Iatrogenic, Idiopathic, Pituitary-Dependent, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Iatrogenic Syndrome of Excess Cortisol, Overproduction of Cortisol

Failure to Recover

If an individual fails to recover within the expected maximum duration period, the reader may wish to consider the following questions to better understand the specifics of an individual's medical case.

Regarding diagnosis:

  • On exam, are symptoms present such as hypertension, red, round face, acne, and weight gain in the abdomen and buttocks or fat pads over the collarbones and upper spine? Does individual have a thick torso with comparatively thin arms and legs?
  • Does individual also have muscle weakness, thin skin that bruises easily and heals slowly, and purple streaks on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks and thighs?
  • Does individual have a pituitary tumor, adrenal tumor, small cell lung cancer, thymomas, pancreatic islet cell carcinomas, or medullary carcinomas of the thyroid?
  • Is individual being treated with glucocorticoid drugs for another condition?
  • Does individual have a family history of tumors of the hormone-secreting glands?
  • Does individual complain of weight gain, fatigue, thinning scalp hair, excessive body hair, excessive thirst, and frequent urination?
  • Does individual have mood swings, depression, hallucinations, and personality changes?
  • Does individual have oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea? Decreased libido? Impotence? Does individual report that routine bending, lifting, or rising from a chair is difficult or painful?
  • Were cortisol levels tested? Was individual tested for the presence of cortisol-secreting tumors?
  • Was an overnight dexamethasone suppression test done? Was a combination CRH stimulation and dexamethasone suppression test done to confirm the diagnosis? CT or MRI? Comprehensive blood testing? Was inferior petrosal sinus sampling done?
  • Were conditions with similar symptoms ruled out?

Regarding treatment:

  • Is the condition caused by overmedication? Is the dosage of glucocorticoids reduced or the medication changed?
  • Is the condition caused by a tumor? Was it surgically removed? Is individual on hormone replacement therapy?

Regarding prognosis:

  • Does individual have any conditions that may affect ability to recover?
  • Have any complications developed, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, emotional disturbances, metastasis of tumors, osteoporosis, and compression fractures of the spine?

Source: Medical Disability Advisor


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