engleski

Reversible brain atrophy in patients with Cushing's disease

During the past 25 years, we came across 60 patients with corticotroph pituitary adenomas and Cushing’ s disease. Neuroradiological examination showed prominent volume loss of the brain parenchyma, unexpected for the patient’ s age. This » brain atrophy« appeared to regress after surgical removal of pituitary adenoma and normalization of cortisol level. Observed difference between degree of » brain atrophy« in the Cushing’ s disease group and in the control group was statistically significant (p<0.001). The degree of » brain atrophy« correlated well with the duration of Cushing’ s disease. Partial reversibility of » brain atrophy« was noticed during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year after surgery and normalization of cortisol level. Increased cortisol level is one of the causative factors in pathogenesis of » brain atrophy« . Loss of brain volume is at least partially reversible after normalization of cortisol levels.

Cushing’ s disease ; brain atrophy ; pituitary ACTH adenoma ; hypercortisolism ; transsphenoidal surgery ; CT ; MRI ; reversibility

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