Bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to ‎endogenous hypercortisolism in ‎Cushing disease: a case report‎

Authors

  • Timothy Pak Ho Lin Hong Kong Eye Hospital image/svg+xml
  • Jonathan S.C. Cheng
  • Hoi Wang Li
  • Simon K.H. Szeto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12809/hkjo-v30n1-410

Keywords:

Central serous chorioretinopathy, Cushing syndrome, Pituitary ACTH hypersecretion

Abstract

We report on a case of bilateral exudative retinal detachment secondary to fibrinous central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) caused by ‎endogenous hypercortisolism in Cushing disease in a 37-year-old man. The treatment-resistant CSC, along with Cushingoid features,‎ raised the suspicion of underlying systemic conditions. Further examination confirmed an adrenocorticotropic hormone–secreting pituitary adenoma (Cushing disease). The patient underwent transsphenoidal adenoma resection. Cortisol levels normalized within 1 week, and the retinal detachment resolved without recurrence. To prevent irreversible vision loss, clinicians should consider the possibility of systemic causes, particularly in ‎bilateral CSC refractory to treatment. Multifocal leakage points on angiography are suggestive of ‎underlying systemic etiology. ‎

References

‎1. Holtz JK, Larsson JME, Hansen MS, van Dijk EHC, Subhi Y. Pachychoroid spectrum ‎diseases in ‎patients with Cushing's syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analyses. J Clin ‎Med ‎‎2022;11:4437.‎ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11154437

‎2. Daruich A, Matet A, Dirani A, et al. Central serous chorioretinopathy: recent ‎findings and ‎new physiopathology hypothesis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2015;48:82-118.‎ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.05.003

‎3. Brinks J, van Haalen FM, van Rijssen TJ, et al. Central serous chorioretinopathy in ‎active ‎endogenous Cushing's syndrome. Sci Rep 2021;11:2748.‎ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82536-2

‎4. Bouzas EA, Scott MH, Mastorakos G, Chrousos GP, Kaiser-Kupfer MI. Central serous ‎chorioretinopathy in ‎endogenous hypercortisolism. Arch Ophthalmol 1993;111:1229-33.‎ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1993.01090090081024

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Published

2026-05-07

Issue

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

1.
Bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to ‎endogenous hypercortisolism in ‎Cushing disease: a case report‎. Hong Kong J Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2026 May 7 [cited 2026 Jul. 26];30(1). Available from: https://www.hkjo.hk/index.php/hkjo/article/view/410

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