RESUMEN
Chylothorax is a consequence of a thoracic duct injury that can occur during surgical procedures in patients with congenital heart disease. It is associated with high rates of morbimortality and increased use of clinical and hospital resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors, distribution, manifestations, complications, and treatments for chylothorax in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in a tertiary pediatric hospital in southern Brazil. This is a retrospective, quantitative study, in which all medical records (n = 166) of patients with chylothorax after pediatric cardiac surgery between January 2014 and December of 2020 and a matched control group (n = 166) were analyzed. Over the study period, there was an increase in incidence of chylothorax from 4.5% in 2014 to 7.6% in 2020, a trend that has been reported in the literature. After multivariate analysis, the following were identified as risk factors for the diagnosis of chylothorax: genetic syndrome (OR 2.298); prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (greater than 120 min) (OR 2.410); fluid overload in the immediate postoperative period (OR 1.110); and SIRS (OR 2.527). Mortality was two times greater (p = 0.021) and there was a higher rate (34.4%) of infection (p < 0.001) in patients who developed chylothorax. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed comparing patients with low- and high-output chylothorax (> 20 mL/kg), which confirmed unfavorable outcomes for the latter group. Herein, we show that hemodynamic alterations were important factors for diagnosis. Understanding the risk factors, outcomes, and complications helps early identification and enables the reduction of morbidity and mortality.
Asunto(s)
Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos , Quilotórax , Cardiopatías Congénitas , Niño , Humanos , Quilotórax/epidemiología , Quilotórax/etiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/métodos , Factores de Riesgo , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Candida species are the primary cause of invasive fungal infection in hospitalized children. There are few data on risk factors for postoperative candidemia in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects. This study aimed to identify risk factors for candidemia in patients with congenital heart defects who underwent cardiac surgery. METHODS: This was a case-control study conducted in patients admitted to a pediatric cardiology intensive care unit from January 2006 to December 2013. Candidemia cases were matched with control patients without candidemia. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine predictive probabilities for the incidence of candidemia at a risk higher than 10%. RESULTS: Thirty patients diagnosed with candidemia (incidence: 0.7 cases/1000 patient days) were matched with 75 controls. Risk factors independently associated with candidemia included Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) category ≥3 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.165, 95% confidence interval: 1.377-8.467], use of acid suppression therapy (OR = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 0.949-3.979) and thrombocytopenia (OR = 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-4.2). Predictive probabilities ranged from 11% (only in RACHS-1 category ≥3) to 58% (combined RACHS-1 ≥3, thrombocytopenia and acid suppression therapy use). The case fatality rate within 30 days after candidemia was 50%. CONCLUSION: This is the first report using the RACHS-1 category as a risk factor for invasive candidiasis in patients with congenital heart defects in the pediatric intensive care unit. Further studies must be conducted to validate the risk factors for candidemia in this pediatric population.
Asunto(s)
Candidemia/epidemiología , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/estadística & datos numéricos , Cardiopatías Congénitas/cirugía , Candidemia/mortalidad , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/mortalidad , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
FUNDAMENTO: O homoenxerto pulmonar tem sido utilizado como uma opção na correção de cardiopatia congênita com obstrução da via de saída do ventrículo direito. Os resultados em longo prazo, no entanto, mostram-se pouco satisfatórios. OBJETIVO: Identificar os fatores de risco associados à disfunção e à falência do homoenxerto pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Estudo em crianças submetidas à ampliação da via de saída do ventrículo direito com homoenxerto pulmonar. As variáveis clínicas, cirúrgicas, evolutivas e de aspectos morfológicos da prótese foram analisadas como fatores de risco. RESULTADOS: A amostra final de 75 pacientes com idade mediana na cirurgia de 22 meses, variando de 1-157 meses, apresentou 13 pacientes (17,0 por cento) que desenvolveram disfunção do homoenxerto, caracterizado por estenose ou insuficiência pulmonar grave. O tempo de ocorrência entre o implante do homoenxerto e a detecção da disfunção foi de 45 ± 20 meses. Quando o tamanho do homoenxerto foi menor de 21 mm e o escore Z da valva pulmonar foi menor do que zero, ou maior do que três, foram considerados fatores de risco para a ocorrência de disfunção. CONCLUSÃO: O homoenxerto pulmonar de tamanho menor do que 21 mm e a valva pulmonar inadequada para idade e peso do paciente são fatores determinantes para disfunção da prótese.
BACKGROUND: The pulmonary homograft has been used as an option in the correction of congenital cardiopathy with obstruction of the right ventricle exit tract. The long term results, however, are little satisfactory. OBJECTIVE: Identify the risk factors associated to the dysfunction and the pulmonary homograft failure. METHODS: Study with children submitted to the enlargement of the exit tract of the right ventricle with pulmonary homograft. The clinical, surgical, evolutional and morphological aspects of the prosthesis variables were analyzed as risk factors. RESULTS: The final sample of 75 patients with median age at the surgery of 22 months, varying from 1-157 months, presented 13 patients (17.0 percent) who developed dysfunction of the homograft, characterized by stenosis or severe pulmonary insufficiency. The occurrence time between the homograft implant and the detection of the dysfunction was of 45 ± 20 months. When the size of the homograft was smaller than 21 mm and the Z score of the pulmonary valva is lower than zero, or higher than three, the risk factors were considered for the dysfunction occurrence. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary homograft smaller than 21 mm and the inadequate pulmonary valva for the age and weight of the patient are determining factors for the prosthesis dysfunction.
FUNDAMENTO: El homoinjerto pulmonar ha sido utilizado como una opción en la corrección de cardiopatía congénita con obstrucción de la vía de salida del ventrículo derecho. Los resultados a largo plazo, mientras tanto, se muestran poco satisfactorios. OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la disfunción y a la falla del homoinjerto pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Estudio en niños sometidos a la ampliación de la vía de salida del ventrículo derecho con homoinjerto pulmonar. Las variables clínicas, quirúrgicas, evolutivas y de aspectos morfológicos de la prótesis fueron analizadas como factores de riesgo. RESULTADOS: La muestra final de 75 pacientes con edad mediana en la cirugía de 22 meses, variando de 1-157 meses, presentó 13 pacientes (17,0 por ciento) que desarrollaron disfunción del homoinjerto, caracterizado por estenosis o insuficiencia pulmonar grave. El tiempo de ocurrencia entre el implante del homoinjerto y la detección de la disfunción fue de 45 ± 20 meses. Cuando el tamaño del homoinjerto fue menor de 21 mm y el escore Z de la válvula pulmonar fue menor que cero, o mayor que tres, fueron considerados factores de riesgo para la ocurrencia de disfunción. CONCLUSIÓN: El homoinjerto pulmonar de tamaño menor que 21 mm y la válvula pulmonar inadecuada para edad y peso del paciente son factores determinantes para disfunción de la prótesis.
Asunto(s)
Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Válvula Aórtica/trasplante , Prótesis Valvulares Cardíacas , Ventrículos Cardíacos , Falla de Prótesis/etiología , Válvula Pulmonar/cirugía , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/cirugía , Ventrículos Cardíacos/anomalías , Ventrículos Cardíacos/cirugía , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The pulmonary homograft has been used as an option in the correction of congenital cardiopathy with obstruction of the right ventricle exit tract. The long term results, however, are little satisfactory. OBJECTIVE: Identify the risk factors associated to the dysfunction and the pulmonary homograft failure. METHODS: Study with children submitted to the enlargement of the exit tract of the right ventricle with pulmonary homograft. The clinical, surgical, evolutional and morphological aspects of the prosthesis variables were analyzed as risk factors. RESULTS: The final sample of 75 patients with median age at the surgery of 22 months, varying from 1-157 months, presented 13 patients (17.0%) who developed dysfunction of the homograft, characterized by stenosis or severe pulmonary insufficiency. The occurrence time between the homograft implant and the detection of the dysfunction was of 45 ± 20 months. When the size of the homograft was smaller than 21 mm and the Z score of the pulmonary valva is lower than zero, or higher than three, the risk factors were considered for the dysfunction occurrence. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary homograft smaller than 21 mm and the inadequate pulmonary valva for the age and weight of the patient are determining factors for the prosthesis dysfunction.
Asunto(s)
Válvula Aórtica/trasplante , Prótesis Valvulares Cardíacas , Ventrículos Cardíacos , Falla de Prótesis/etiología , Válvula Pulmonar/cirugía , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/cirugía , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Ventrículos Cardíacos/anomalías , Ventrículos Cardíacos/cirugía , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hospital mortality for surgical reconstruction of the outflow of the right ventricle with pulmonary homograft is variable. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors associated with hospital mortality and clinical profile of patients. METHODS: Children underwent reconstruction of the outflow tract of right ventricle with pulmonary homograft. Analyzed as risk factors for the clinical, surgical and morphological aspects of the prosthesis. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients operated on between 1998 and 2005 presented mainly pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot. Forty patients were treated in the first month of life. He needed 38 surgeries to Blalock Taussig due to clinical severity. The median age at surgery for total correction was 22 months, ranging from 1 to 157 months. Size pulmonary homograft ranging from 12 to 26 mm and length of bypass was 132 +/- 37 minutes. After surgery there were seventeen deaths (18% cases) on average 10.5 +/- 7.5 days. The predominant cause was multiple organ failure. In the univariate analysis between the types of heart disease, they found in favor of age at surgery, size of homograft, pulmonary valve Z value, CPB time, maintaining the integrity of the homograft and pulmonary tree change. There was no statistical difference in hospital mortality between the variables and the type of heart disease. CONCLUSION: The congenital obstructive right requires surgical care in the first days of life. The total correction surgery has a risk rate of 18% but there was no association with any variable studied.
Asunto(s)
Prótesis Valvulares Cardíacas , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Válvula Pulmonar/trasplante , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/cirugía , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/mortalidad , Válvula Pulmonar/patología , Válvula Pulmonar/cirugía , Factores de Riesgo , Tetralogía de Fallot/mortalidad , Tetralogía de Fallot/cirugía , Trasplante Homólogo , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/clasificación , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/congénitoRESUMEN
FUNDAMENTO: Mortalidade hospitalar na cirurgia de reconstrução da via de saída do ventrículo direito com homoenxerto pulmonar é variável. OBJETIVOS: Identificar os fatores de risco associados à mortalidade hospitalar e ao perfil clínico dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estudo de crianças submetidas à reconstrução da via de saída do ventrículo direito com homoenxerto pulmonar. Analisados como fatores de risco as variáveis clínicas, cirúrgicas e de aspectos morfológicos da prótese. RESULTADOS: Noventa e dois pacientes foram operados entre 1998 e 2005, apresentando principalmente atresia pulmonar com comunicação interventricular e a tetralogia de Fallot. Quarenta pacientes foram atendidos no primeiro mês de vida. Necessitaram de 38 cirurgias de Blalock Taussig devido à gravidade clínica. A idade mediana na cirurgia de correção total foi de 22 meses, variando de 1 mês a 157 meses. O tamanho homoenxerto pulmonar variou de 12 a 26 mm e o tempo de extracorpórea foi 132 ± 37 minutos. Após a cirurgia houve 17 óbitos (18 por cento casos), em média 10,5 ± 7,5 dias após. A causa predominante foi falência de múltiplos órgãos. Na análise univariada entre os tipos de cardiopatia, estas deferiram na idade, momento da cirurgia, tamanho do homoenxerto, valor Z da valva pulmonar, tempo de circulação extracorpórea, manutenção da integridade do homoenxerto e alteração da árvore pulmonar. Não houve diferença estatística com relação à mortalidade hospitalar entre as variáveis e o tipo de cardiopatia. CONCLUSÃO: As cardiopatias obstrutivas do lado direito necessitam de atendimento cirúrgico nos primeiros dias de vida. A cirurgia de correção total apresenta risco de mortalidade de 18 por cento, mas não houve associação com nenhuma variável estudada.
BACKGROUND: Hospital mortality for surgical reconstruction of the outflow of the right ventricle with pulmonary homograft is variable. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors associated with hospital mortality and clinical profile of patients. METHODS: Children underwent reconstruction of the outflow tract of right ventricle with pulmonary homograft. Analyzed as risk factors for the clinical, surgical and morphological aspects of the prosthesis. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients operated on between 1998 and 2005 presented mainly pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot. Forty patients were treated in the first month of life. He needed 38 surgeries to Blalock Taussig due to clinical severity. The median age at surgery for total correction was 22 months, ranging from 1 to 157 months. Size pulmonary homograft ranging from 12 to 26 mm and length of bypass was 132 ± 37 minutes. After surgery there were seventeen deaths (18 percent cases) on average 10.5 ± 7.5 days. The predominant cause was multiple organ failure. In the univariate analysis between the types of heart disease, they found in favor of age at surgery, size of homograft, pulmonary valve Z value, CPB time, maintaining the integrity of the homograft and pulmonary tree change. There was no statistical differencein hospital mortality between the variables and the type of heart disease. CONCLUSION: The congenital obstructive right requires surgical care in the first days of life. The total correction surgery has a risk rate of 18 percent but there was no association with any variable studied.
Asunto(s)
Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Prótesis Valvulares Cardíacas , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Válvula Pulmonar/trasplante , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/cirugía , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/mortalidad , Válvula Pulmonar/patología , Válvula Pulmonar/cirugía , Factores de Riesgo , Trasplante Homólogo , Tetralogía de Fallot/mortalidad , Tetralogía de Fallot/cirugía , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/clasificación , Obstrucción del Flujo Ventricular Externo/congénitoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Evaluation of a case series of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery corrected with the Takeuchi procedure, analyzing their immediate and late surgical outcomes as well as the related morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To report a case series of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery corrected with the Takeuchi procedure. METHODS: The analysis was based on data collected from the medical records of 12 patients undergoing surgical correction between 1981 and 2003. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.9 +/- 1.7 months. The predominant manifestation was heart failure, especially in the infants. The baseline electrocardiogram showed a Q wave in DI and aVL and signs of myocardial ischemia in ten cases. Echocardiogram with a pattern of dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral regurgitation was found in six patients. The mean age at surgical correction was 31.8 +/- 14.3 months. The immediate surgical mortality was 16% (two patients), from cardiac dysfunction. In the outpatient follow-up we observed that the symptoms, ischemic electrocardiographic changes, cardiac function and mitral regurgitation improved. Three cases progressed with supravalvar pulmonary stenosis during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This heart disease should be suspected in every infant presenting with heart failure. Surgical correction with the Takeuchi procedure has proven efficient, with a low mortality rate. Cardiac function returns to normal and mitral regurgitation improves after surgical correction.
Asunto(s)
Anomalías de los Vasos Coronarios/cirugía , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/cirugía , Insuficiencia de la Válvula Mitral/cirugía , Arteria Pulmonar/anomalías , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Vasculares/métodos , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Anomalías de los Vasos Coronarios/fisiopatología , Ecocardiografía Doppler , Electrocardiografía , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/fisiopatología , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Válvula Mitral/fisiopatología , Válvula Mitral/cirugía , Insuficiencia de la Válvula Mitral/fisiopatología , Arteria Pulmonar/cirugía , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
FUNDAMENTO: Avaliação dos casos de origem anômala da artéria coronária esquerda do tronco pulmonar operados com a técnica de Takeuchi, analisando o resultado cirúrgico imediato e tardio e a morbidade destes pacientes. OBJETIVO: Relato uma série de casos de origem anômala da artéria coronária esquerda do tronco pulmonar operados com a técnica de Takeuchi. Métodos: Realizou-se a análise com coleta de dados dos prontuários de doze pacientes submetidos à correção cirúrgica no período de 1981 a 2003. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 5,9 ± 1,7 meses. A clínica preponderante foi insuficiência cardíaca, principalmente nos lactentes. O eletrocardiograma inicial em dez casos mostrou onda Q em DI e aVL e sinais de isquemia miocárdica. No ecocardiograma, observaram-se padrão de miocardiopatia dilatada em seis pacientes e insuficiência mitral. A idade média da correção cirúrgica foi de 31,8 ± 14,3 meses. A mortalidade cirúrgica imediata foi de 16 por cento (dois pacientes) por disfunção cardíaca. No acompanhamento ambulatorial, houve a melhora da sintomatologia e das alterações isquêmicas no eletrocardiograma, retorno da função cardíaca e melhora da insuficiência mitral. Durante o acompanhamento, três casos evoluíram com estenose supravalvar pulmonar. CONCLUSÃO: A suspeita clínica dessa cardiopatia deve ser feita em todo lactente com insuficiência cardíaca. A correção cirúrgica com o emprego da técnica de Takeuchi se mostra eficaz, com baixo índice de mortalidade. Após a correção, há um retorno à normalidade da função cardíaca e a melhora da insuficiência mitral.
BACKGROUND: Evaluation of a case series of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery corrected with the Takeuchi procedure, analyzing their immediate and late surgical outcomes as well as the related morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To report a case series of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery corrected with the Takeuchi procedure. METHODS: The analysis was based on data collected from the medical records of 12 patients undergoing surgical correction between 1981 and 2003. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.9 ± 1.7 months. The predominant manifestation was heart failure, especially in the infants. The baseline electrocardiogram showed a Q wave in DI and aVL and signs of myocardial ischemia in ten cases. Echocardiogram with a pattern of dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral regurgitation was found in six patients. The mean age at surgical correction was 31.8 ± 14.3 months. The immediate surgical mortality was 16 percent (two patients), from cardiac dysfunction. In the outpatient follow-up we observed that the symptoms, ischemic electrocardiographic changes, cardiac function and mitral regurgitation improved. Three cases progressed with supravalvar pulmonary stenosis during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This heart disease should be suspected in every infant presenting with heart failure. Surgical correction with the Takeuchi procedure has proven efficient, with a low mortality rate. Cardiac function returns to normal and mitral regurgitation improves after surgical correction.
Asunto(s)
Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Anomalías de los Vasos Coronarios/cirugía , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/cirugía , Insuficiencia de la Válvula Mitral/cirugía , Arteria Pulmonar/anomalías , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Vasculares/métodos , Anomalías de los Vasos Coronarios/fisiopatología , Ecocardiografía Doppler , Electrocardiografía , Estudios de Seguimiento , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/fisiopatología , Insuficiencia de la Válvula Mitral/fisiopatología , Válvula Mitral/fisiopatología , Válvula Mitral/cirugía , Arteria Pulmonar/cirugía , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Ectopic adrenocorticotropic secretion (EAS) is responsible for 12-17 percent of cases of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and covers a range of tumours, from undetectable benign lesions to widespread metastases. The syndrome is often associated with severe hypercortisolaemia, which aggravates the underlying condition. EAS requires a complete workup that includes the establishment of endogenous CS, diagnosis of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependency, localization of the source of ACTH secretion and rapid biochemical control of hypercortisolaemia. Dynamic endocrine tests should include inferior petrosal sinus sampling with CRH stimulation. Localization studies depend on the availability of reliable high-resolution cross-sectional imaging. This systematic review of the largest published series of patients with EAS (over 380 patients) reveals the common trends in the prevalence and management of this syndrome. The concept of 'occult' EAS has been revisited and the terms 'overt' and 'covert' EAS introduced. In addition to small cell lung carcinoma, the most common causes of ectopic EAS are bronchial carcinoids, thymic tumours, islet cell tumour of the pancreas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, and phaeochromocytomas. Their prevalence and the best localization modalities are presented. Medical and surgical management is discussed on the basis of the extensive experience of major referral centres.
A secreção ectópica de ACTH (SEA) é responsável por 12-17 por cento dos casos de síndrome de Cushing (SC), cobrindo uma variedade de tumores, desde lesões benignas indetectáveis a metástases disseminadas. A SEA está freqüentemente associada com hipercortisolemia grave, que agrava a condição de base e requer uma avaliação completa, que inclui a confirmação da SC endógena, o diagnóstico da dependência ao ACTH, a localização da fonte da secreção de ACTH e o controle bioquímico rápido da hipercortisolemia. Testes endócrinos dinâmicos devem incluir a coleta de amostras do seio petroso inferior com estímulo pelo CRH. O estudo da localização da fonte depende da disponibilidade de procedimentos de imagem de alta-resolução confiáveis. A revisão sistemática das maiores séries publicadas de pacientes com SEA (mais de 380 pacientes) revela tendências comuns na prevalência e manejo dessa síndrome. O conceito de SEA "oculta" está sendo revisado e os termos SEA "manifesta" e "latente" são introduzidos. Além do carcinoma pulmonar de pequenas células, as causas mais comuns de SEA são os carcinóides brônquicos, tumores tímicos, tumor de ilhotas pancreáticas, carcinoma medular de tiróide e feocromocitoma; sua prevalência e as melhores modalidades para localização são apresentadas. O manejo clínico e cirúrgico é discutido com base na vasta experiência dos principais centros de referência.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Síndrome de ACTH Ectópico/diagnóstico , Síndrome de ACTH Ectópico/etiología , Síndrome de ACTH Ectópico/terapia , Neoplasias Abdominales/complicaciones , Neoplasias Abdominales , Hormona Adrenocorticotrópica/sangre , Biomarcadores/sangre , Tumor Carcinoide/complicaciones , Tumor Carcinoide , Hormona Liberadora de Corticotropina , Síndrome de Cushing/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Muestreo de Seno Petroso , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Neoplasias Torácicas/complicaciones , Neoplasias TorácicasRESUMEN
Ectopic adrenocorticotropic secretion (EAS) is responsible for 12-17% of cases of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and covers a range of tumours, from undetectable benign lesions to widespread metastases. The syndrome is often associated with severe hypercortisolaemia, which aggravates the underlying condition. EAS requires a complete workup that includes the establishment of endogenous CS, diagnosis of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependency, localization of the source of ACTH secretion and rapid biochemical control of hypercortisolaemia. Dynamic endocrine tests should include inferior petrosal sinus sampling with CRH stimulation. Localization studies depend on the availability of reliable high-resolution cross-sectional imaging. This systematic review of the largest published series of patients with EAS (over 380 patients) reveals the common trends in the prevalence and management of this syndrome. The concept of 'occult' EAS has been revisited and the terms 'overt' and 'covert' EAS introduced. In addition to small cell lung carcinoma, the most common causes of ectopic EAS are bronchial carcinoids, thymic tumours, islet cell tumour of the pancreas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, and phaeochromocytomas. Their prevalence and the best localization modalities are presented. Medical and surgical management is discussed on the basis of the extensive experience of major referral centres.