Cushing's Disease: Sustained remission in five cases induced by medical therapy with the dopamine agonist cabergoline

Omayma ElShafie*, Anjum Osman, Fatima Aamer, Ali Al-Mamari, N. J.Y. Woodhouse

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report five cases of Cushing's disease where the patients were given a therapeutic trial of cabergoline. Morning serum cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and sleeping cortisol concentrations were significantly raised. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed pituitary microadenomas in 3 patients but were normal in the others. Ectopic ACTH production was excluded in the 2 patients with normal MRI scans. All were given a therapeutic trial of cabergoline (1 mg daily). Four patients responded with a prompt fall in serum cortisol levels and had a sustained clinical and biochemical remission for 378, 44, 28 and 14 days, respectively. One patient failed to respond. In conclusion, we suggest that all patients with Cushing's disease should undergo a therapeutic trial of cabergoline. Responders can then be prepared for surgery or, if needed, treated medically in the long term.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)493-497
Number of pages5
JournalSultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Adrenocorticotrophic hormone
  • Cabergoline
  • Case report
  • Cushing's disease
  • Dopamine receptors
  • Oman

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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