Cushing's syndrome: new variants and association with empty sella syndrome

In this article we propose a review of the literature on clinical variants of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and personal observations on one of these variants. Clinical variants of CS are: (1) tumors of the intermediate pituitary lobe; (2) hypothalamic Cushing's with pituitary hyperplasia; (3) cyclic CS; (4) primitive nodular adrenal dysplasia; (5) pre-Cushing's syndrome; (6) association of CS and empty sella. The personal observations relate to the association of CS and empty sella. This syndrome consists of: (a) inappropriate cortisol secretion of pituitary origin; this alteration is less pronounced in comparison with other patients affected by Cushing's disease; (b) marked hirsutism; (c) slight hyperprolactinemia or augmented PRL response after metoclopramide; (d) elevated DHEAS levels.