Clinical Images in Emergency Medicine: Cushing’s Disease

Abstract

Case Presentation: A 22-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a two-month history of worsening fatigue, unintentional weight gain, and progressive facial swelling. Physical examination findings included hirsutism, moon facies, and abdominal striae. Subsequent brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a 2.4-centimeter pituitary macroadenoma, confirming the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease. The patient was then admitted for neurosurgical tumor resection. Discussion: Cushing’s disease is exceedingly rare and often presents with symptoms resembling more prevalent disorders, contributing to delays in diagnosis. Therefore, maintaining a high index of suspicion for this disease is crucial for emergency physicians.