Endocrine Abstracts

The novel somatostatin receptor agonist SOM230 (pasireotide) binds with high affinity to somatostatin receptors sst1, sst2, sst3 and sst5. Acting principally through the latter, it inhibits basal and CRH-stimulated ACTH secretion from the AtT20 mouse corticotroph cell line and ACTH release from a proportion of human corticotroph adenomas both in vitro and in vivo. Data suggesting an additional antiproliferative effect has led to SOM230 being explored as a potenti...

Introduction: Following the recent publication of The Endocrine Society Clinical Practice guideline for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), we performed an evaluation of the service provided for adults with CAH to assess how well we are meeting the guideline standard and to make recommendations for service improvement.Methods: We performed an audit of adults with CAH under the care of the University Hospitals of Leicester. We undertook a cross-sectiona...

Background and case: A 38-year-old man presented acutely with left-sided retro-orbital pain, a heavy/numb sensation in his left arm and blurred vision and diplopia on left lateral gaze. Baseline biochemistry, liver function and haematology were normal. His TSH was 3.9 (0.3–4 mU/l) and CRP 92 mg/l (<10). Plain CT head was unremarkable as was the MRI as reported, and atypical migraine was suspected. Vertical diplopia on left lateral gaze and left upper arm paraesthesia ...

A 40-year-old woman, who had developed oligomenorrhoea after discontinuing the contraceptive pill at age 30, presented with a 6-month history of intermittent vomiting associated with abdominal discomfort and distension. Ultrasound, followed by laparotomy, revealed multiple bilateral ovarian luteal cysts consistent with hyperoestrogenism and ovarian-hyperfunctioning.Only 9 months post-operatively her bilateral theca ovarian cysts had recurred. Over 4 mont...