Etomidate in the treatment of Cushing syndrome.

Cushing syndrome is a metabolic disease caused by chronic exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids. It can present as an endocrine emergency due to a rapid increase in circulating cortisol leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and infection. Etomidate rapidly reduces plasma cortisol levels by inhibiting the action of 11ß-hidroxilase. We report the case of a patient with severe hypercortisolaemia accompanied by metabolic and psychiatric disorders in whom administration of etomidate reduced preoperative levels of cortisol.