Endocrine Abstracts

There is growing recognition within Endocrinology physician and patient groups of morbidity and mortality in association with prescribing errors and dysnatraemia, in hospitalised patients with cranial diabetes insipidus (CDI). The aims of this study were firstly, to assess outcomes in hospitalised patients with CDI by review of electronic records from 2012-2021, and secondly, to assess the same patient cohort’s perceptions of their care via telephone questionnaire. 109 pa...

Background: Dopamine agonists (DA) are included in the management algorithm of acromegaly. Studies on cabergoline monotherapy report IGF-1 normalisation in between 0% and 100% of the patients during treatment periods ranging between 2.6 and 24 months. However, in many of these studies, previous radiotherapy is a confounding factor. Furthermore, real world data applying the current disease control criteria (normal IGF-1 and GH<1 mg/l) are not available. The aim of this stud...

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the commonest cause of secondary hypertension. Reported prevalence is about 30% in hypertensive population. Success of screening for PA in general practice (GP) is unknown. Expected challenges include laboratory access, transport issues and interfering medications.Aims: We aimed to report prevalence of PA in a large primary care cohort, the correlation between GP and in-hospital ARR and to assess if a change in r...

Introduction: The incidence of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) post pituitary surgery is estimated at 3-20% with the condition potentially leading to significant morbidity and prolonged admission. Copeptin, a surrogate marker for vasopressin activity, has been shown to be a diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of AVP deficiency (formerly known as diabetes insipidus) post pituitary surgery. There is limited data regarding the utility of copeptin in predicting SIAD...

Background: Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a recognised complication of pituitary surgery, with current diagnosis requiring clinical observation aided by plasma and urine electrolytes and osmolalities. Copeptin, a 39 amino acid glycopeptide secreted in equimolar quantities to ADH, is a stable surrogate marker of ADH release and has potential to facilitate prompt diagnosis of post-operative DI. This assay has been shown to accurately predict which patients are likely to develop DI ...

Background: Patients receiving radiotherapy for residual or recurrent pituitary adenoma require regular surveillance for the development of anterior pituitary axis deficit. Whilst the sequelae of hypopituitarism post cranial irradiation is well recognized, there are relatively varied incidences of new onset hypopituitarism post-conventional radiotherapy, reported in the literature. We aimed to investigate timing and frequency of the individual axis deficits in adults who have ...

Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCC) arise from the embryonic remnants of Rathke’s pouch in the anterior pituitary gland. The majority are asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed when the pituitary is imaged for other reasons. RCCs can progress to requiring surgical intervention for hormonal and structural effects. It is unclear what factors determine RCC enlargement and over what period this occurs, hence need for long term follow-up is uncertain. We analysed our conservative...

Transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA) is the recommended primary therapy in most patients with acromegaly and results in remission for majority of microadenomas and a proportion of macroadenomas depending on extent of surgically accessible disease. Acromegaly is associated with significant mortality and morbidity, hence a combination of treatment modalities may be needed to achieve disease control.Methods: A retrospective casenotes review was conducted and ...

ObjectiveActive acromegaly is associated with increased mortality. While surgery is the mainstay of treatment, it is not always curative. In selected cases, CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (CK SRS) can be used as adjuvant treatment in patients with persistent disease.DesignThis is a retrospective review of the biochemical and imaging characteristics for patients with active acromegaly treated with CK SRS...

Case history: A 38-year-old woman presented with blepharospasm, cramping of the hands, and paraesthesia primarily affecting the face and hands. Symptoms had been present for 10 years but had been progressive over the previous 12 months. Symptoms were consistent with neuromuscular instability. Hypocalcaemia and elevated Parathyroid hormone (PTH) were confirmed. Past medical history was notable for anorexia nervosa in remission. Family history was non-contributary. Hypocalcaemia...