A Case Report: Cushing's Disease Presenting with Polycythemia and Venous Thromboembolism

ABSTRACT

We present the case of a woman with Cushing’s disease who had originally received a diagnosis of primary polycythemia. Her major complaints were headache, weakness, and blushing of the face. She had been admitted to another hospital about 6 months previously for same symptoms, and she received a diagnosis of polycythemia vera. Before planned bone marrow aspiration and biopsy could be performed, the patient developed a popliteal vein thrombosis; heterozygotic mutation of factor V Leiden (1691 GA) had been identified. She was admitted to our hospital for bone marrow biopsy. Considering her physical examination and medical history which revealed facial plethora, moon-face, supraclavicular fullness, central obesity, purple striae at her abdomen, shoulder, and thighs, in addition to frontal balding, acne, hirsutism and infertility, she was evaluated for possible Cushing’s disease. A diagnosis of Cushing’s disease was made. Her haematological situation and clinical symptoms resolved after she underwent hypophysectomy for Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s disease is a possible cause of secondary erythrocytosis. Venous thrombosis can occur during the course of both Cushing’s syndrome and primary polycythemias. It is important to exclude such secondary causes of polycythemia before making a final diagnosis.