Successful management of refractory Cushing’s disease with severe hypercortisolemia using etomidate and temozolomide in post-surgical failure

Abstract

Corticotropinomas account for 20% of all aggressive pituitary tumors and pituitary carcinomas and are associated with high mortality. These tumors not only cause neurovascular compromise but can also be fatal due to severe hypercortisolemia itself. Although surgery is considered the primary treatment modality, it is often partially successful or unsuccessful. Moreover, these tumors frequently recur and may be resistant to conventional treatments, including surgery and radiotherapy. Therefore, early multimodal treatment and regular follow-up are necessary. We present a case of aggressive Cushing’s disease managed with combined temozolomide therapy and radiotherapy following an unsuccessful transsphenoidal surgery, resulting in significant long-term radiological and biochemical remission. In addition, etomidate infusion was administered to achieve rapid cortisol reduction, highlighting its role as a bridging therapy to other modalities in treating life-threatening and severe hypercortisolemia outside an intensive care setting.