A Curious Case of Cushing Syndrome
October 2024
in “
Journal of the Endocrine Society
”
TLDR A single steroid injection can cause serious side effects like Cushing Syndrome.
A 40-year-old woman developed Cushing Syndrome (CS) after receiving a single intraarticular injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TCA) for hip bursitis, highlighting the potential for systemic absorption and prolonged effects of corticosteroids. Despite no other steroid exposures, she exhibited symptoms like rapid weight gain and excess hair growth, with lab results indicating suppressed adrenal function. Eight months post-injection, she experienced adrenal insufficiency, necessitating Hydrocortisone treatment. This case underscores the need for awareness of rare adverse events from corticosteroids, even from isolated exposures, due to their unpredictable pharmacokinetics.