THE PATHOGENESIS OF CUSHINGʼS SYNDROME

Abstract

Clinical and exptl. studies indicate that the hyalinization of basophil cells of the pituitary as reported in Cushing''s syndrome may be caused by any of the following primary lesions: a tumor of the adrenal cortex; a tumor of the thymus; and atrophy of hypothalamic nuclei. Dogs with exptl. lesions of the hypothalamus show changes in the pituitary similar to those found clinically. The resultant changes of lipid and water metabolism are similar and changes found in the thyroid, gonads, and islets of the pancreas can explain many of the symptoms of the Cushing syndrome.