Evidence for Two Subtypes of Cushing's Disease Based on the Analysis of Episodic Cortisol Secretion

Abstract
To investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms of Cushing's syndrome, we studied variations in plasma Cortisol levels (episodic variations, or pulses) over 24 hours in 51 normal subjects, 14 patients with adrenal adenoma, and 46 patients with Cushing's disease. Data were obtained both from our patients and from the literature.