Mnemonic for Cushing's Syndrome by Picmonic

Exogenous administration of glucocorticoids can result in iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, which is the most common cause of Cushing syndrome.

Of the endogenous causes of Cushing Syndrome, decreased ACTH occurs due to primary adrenal issues. ACTH is low due to negative feedback from increased glucocorticoids.

Primary adrenal disease can be due to adrenal hyperplasia, adenoma or carcinoma. It is characterized by hypercortisolism due to secretion from the adrenals and low ACTH. As these are 1° adrenal disorders, cortisol secretion is always elevated and does not respond to high or low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests.

Of the endogenous causes of Cushing Syndrome, increased ACTH levels point to a diagnosis of either an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (Cushing Disease) or paraneoplastic ACTH secretion.

Cushing Disease is the most common cause of endogenous Cushing syndrome. It is usually due to a ACTH-producing pituitary micro adenoma. This presentation, involving the pituitary, is known as Cushing Disease.

Small cell carcinoma of the lung can secrete ACTH as part of a paraneoplastic syndrome. This subsequently yields high cortisol levels which are not suppressed by low or high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests.

CRF-releasing tumors are a rare cause of Cushing syndrome that can result in pituitary hyperplasia and increased ACTH secretion.