[Alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome: case report (author's transl)]

Reversible Cushing's syndrome with typical physical appearance and increased basal plasma-cortisol level developed in a 48-year-old man with essential arterial hypertension, as a result of chronic alcohol abuse and could not be supressed by prolonged dexamethason inhibition. Alcohol abstinence within a few weeks produced remission with normal adrenocortical function and regulation without any other therapeutic measures. Renewed alcohol consumption quickly brought about again the alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome. An abnormality of central regulation with inadequate ACTH secretion was the cause of the hypercortisolism. Previously reported cases of alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome are not uniform: in some the diagnosis is in doubt.