Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic ACTH production: cutaneous manifestations

Ectopic production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) usually results in hypokalemic myopathy but is occasionally associated with florid Cushing's syndrome. We present a patient with Cushing's syndrome associated with a small-cell undifferentiated lung carcinoma. We describe the skin changes observed in this patient and review the cutaneous manifestation of Cushing's syndrome, and present current knowledge of the effects of glucocorticoids on the skin.