Development of sarcoidosis after successful treatment of Cushing’s disease

Abstract

Cushing’s disease is a rare severe neuroendocrine disorder caused by chronic overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone by a pituitary tumor. Supraphysiological concentrations of cortisol in endogenous hypercortisolism have an immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effect similar to therapy with systemic glucocorticosteroids. This may reduce the activity of the patient’s concomitant autoimmune inflammatory diseases. On the other hand, a decrease in cortisol levels during treatment for Cushing’s disease may be associated with a reactivation of the immune system that pose a risk of onset or recurrence of an autoimmune disorder. We present our own clinical case demonstrating the development of sarcoidosis after surgical treatment of Cushing’s disease.