Exophthalmos and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. 1994

S W Panzer, and J R Patrinely, and H K Wilson
Department of Medicine, Cullen Eye Institute, Houston, Texas 77030.

A 38-year-old physician presented with a 9-month history of progressive self-administration of oral prednisone < or = 160 mg per day for Addison's disease. Examination demonstrated typical Cushingoid features and bilateral proptosis with elevated intraocular pressure. Computed tomography disclosed increased intraorbital adipose tissue. We hypothesize that the increased intraorbital adipose deposition was due to the differential binding of glucocorticoids to adipose tissue receptors and an enhancement of lipoprotein lipase activity. We conclude that the findings in this case may be related to glucocorticoid-induced changes in the ocular and periorbital structures. Cushing's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acquired exophthalmos and elevated intraocular pressure and findings of increased orbital fat on orbital imaging.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007049 Iatrogenic Disease Any adverse condition in a patient occurring as the result of treatment by a physician, surgeon, or other health professional, especially infections acquired by a patient during the course of treatment. Hospital-Acquired Condition,Condition, Hospital-Acquired,Conditions, Hospital-Acquired,Disease, Iatrogenic,Diseases, Iatrogenic,Hospital Acquired Condition,Hospital-Acquired Conditions,Iatrogenic Diseases
D007429 Intraocular Pressure The pressure of the fluids in the eye. Ocular Tension,Intraocular Pressures,Ocular Tensions,Pressure, Intraocular,Pressures, Intraocular,Tension, Ocular,Tensions, Ocular
D008297 Male Males
D011241 Prednisone A synthetic anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid derived from CORTISONE. It is biologically inert and converted to PREDNISOLONE in the liver. Dehydrocortisone,delta-Cortisone,Apo-Prednisone,Cortan,Cortancyl,Cutason,Dacortin,Decortin,Decortisyl,Deltasone,Encorton,Encortone,Enkortolon,Kortancyl,Liquid Pred,Meticorten,Orasone,Panafcort,Panasol,Predni Tablinen,Prednidib,Predniment,Prednison Acsis,Prednison Galen,Prednison Hexal,Pronisone,Rectodelt,Sone,Sterapred,Ultracorten,Winpred,Acsis, Prednison
D003480 Cushing Syndrome A condition caused by prolonged exposure to excess levels of cortisol (HYDROCORTISONE) or other GLUCOCORTICOIDS from endogenous or exogenous sources. It is characterized by upper body OBESITY; OSTEOPOROSIS; HYPERTENSION; DIABETES MELLITUS; HIRSUTISM; AMENORRHEA; and excess body fluid. Endogenous Cushing syndrome or spontaneous hypercortisolism is divided into two groups, those due to an excess of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN and those that are ACTH-independent. Cushing's Syndrome,Hypercortisolism,Syndrome, Cushing,Syndrome, Cushing's
D005094 Exophthalmos Abnormal protrusion of both eyes; may be caused by endocrine gland malfunction, malignancy, injury, or paralysis of the extrinsic muscles of the eye. Proptosis,Proptoses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000224 Addison Disease An adrenal disease characterized by the progressive destruction of the ADRENAL CORTEX, resulting in insufficient production of ALDOSTERONE and HYDROCORTISONE. Clinical symptoms include ANOREXIA; NAUSEA; WEIGHT LOSS; MUSCLE WEAKNESS; and HYPERPIGMENTATION of the SKIN due to increase in circulating levels of ACTH precursor hormone which stimulates MELANOCYTES. Addison's Disease,Primary Adrenal Insufficiency,Primary Adrenocortical Insufficiency,Primary Hypoadrenalism,Addisons Disease,Adrenal Insufficiency, Primary,Adrenocortical Insufficiencies, Primary,Adrenocortical Insufficiency, Primary,Disease, Addison,Hypoadrenalism, Primary,Hypoadrenalisms, Primary,Insufficiencies, Primary Adrenocortical,Insufficiency, Primary Adrenocortical,Primary Adrenocortical Insufficiencies
D000273 Adipose Tissue Specialized connective tissue composed of fat cells (ADIPOCYTES). It is the site of stored FATS, usually in the form of TRIGLYCERIDES. In mammals, there are two types of adipose tissue, the WHITE FAT and the BROWN FAT. Their relative distributions vary in different species with most adipose tissue being white. Fatty Tissue,Body Fat,Fat Pad,Fat Pads,Pad, Fat,Pads, Fat,Tissue, Adipose,Tissue, Fatty
D000284 Administration, Oral The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth. Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations

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