Subclinical Cushing's syndrome

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome refers to autonomous glucocorticoid production without symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. Approximately 8% of patients with incidentally detected adrenal tumors have subclinical Cushing's syndrome, and the best screening test is the short dexamethasone suppression test. Patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome require surgery if they are young (<50 years old), have suppressed plasma ACTH, or have a recent history of weight gain, arterial hypertension, or diabetes mellitus.