Which physical finding is commonly associated with Cushing's syndrome?

Which physical finding is commonly associated with Cushing's syndrome?

• A. Buffalo hump
• B. Goiter
• C. Exophthalmos
• D. Lymphedema

Answer: (A)

Excess cortisol in Cushing's syndrome causes fat to redistribute to the trunk and upper back, creating a dorsocervical fat pad known as a buffalo hump. This distinctive finding is a hallmark of the syndrome, along with other signs like moon face and central obesity. The other options point to different conditions: a goiter is thyroid enlargement, exophthalmos is the forward projection of the eyes seen in Graves' disease, and lymphedema is swelling from lymphatic obstruction. Therefore, buffalo hump is the best clue linking to Cushing's syndrome.

Excess cortisol in Cushing's syndrome causes fat to redistribute to the trunk and upper back, creating a dorsocervical fat pad known as a buffalo hump. This distinctive finding is a hallmark of the syndrome, along with other signs like moon face and central obesity. The other options point to different conditions: a goiter is thyroid enlargement, exophthalmos is the forward projection of the eyes seen in Graves' disease, and lymphedema is swelling from lymphatic obstruction. Therefore, buffalo hump is the best clue linking to Cushing's syndrome.