Vertebral osteoporotic fractures with height loss secondary to Cushing's disease.

Cushing's disease is a rare condition which may present with a variety of signs and symptoms. In this report, we present a case of a 37-year-old man referred to our department due to osteoporosis complicated with vertebral and rib fractures and loss of six centimeters in height within the previous year. Study of secondary causes of osteoporosis led to the diagnosis of Cushing's disease. The patient was submitted to transsphenoidal surgery and histological findings confirmed the diagnosis. After surgery, the symptoms improved. Glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis may be reversible, but recovery of bone loss is gradual and may continue for as long as 10 years before bone mineral density normalizes. This case illustrates the need to consider secondary causes of osteoporosis in a young man with bone fractures, namely Cushing's syndrome.