The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome require an accurate clinical suspicion, information about hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, adequate use of functional hormonal tests and the indication of resolutive image examination with the objective of determining its etiology. In this paper, we discuss the diagnostic approach of the Cushing's syndrome, the application of the hormonal tests used for the syndromic and etiologic definition, with special focus in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's Disease vs. pseudo-Cushing's states and Cushing's disease vs. ectopic ACTH syndrome. Finally, we propose a standard approach for these patients, including suggestions about the application of sophisticated and invasive methods.
Cushing's syndrome; Cushing's disease; Hypercortisolism; Differential diagnosis
