Endocrine Abstracts

Adrenal incidentalomas are common and guidelines recommend testing to exclude functioning lesions and malignancy. Their increasing prevalence results in a number of investigations usually conducted in the Endocrinology clinic.In 2011 we audited the prevalence and management of adrenal incidentalomas identified on abdominal CT imaging over one calendar month in our centre. Consequently, a decision pathway for new adrenal lesions was introduced in the Radi...

Adrenal masses discovered incidentally during imaging (adrenal incidentalomas) are common and constitute a common reason for referral in the Endocrinology clinic. Our aim was to audit the prevalence of adrenal masses discovered in all computerised tomography (CT) abdominal imaging done over one calendar month in our centre. A secondary aim was to identify the underlying diagnosis and fate of the discovered adrenal nodules. All 690 CT scans done in March 2011 in our centre that...

Background: Adrenal masses discovered incidentally during imaging studies (adrenal incidentalomas – AIs) are common and prompt investigations to exclude secretory lesions and malignancy. Uncertainty exists over the best management strategy of AI.Objective: To monitor the current practice against the local protocol and existing guidelines; to identify the biochemical and imaging outcomes in a single centre cohort.Methods: Retro...

Objectives: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that is known to play an essential role in regulation of blood pressure and vascular endothelial function. However, the metabolic regulation of ANP is not fully understood. In patients suffering from metabolic syndrome hypertension, hyperinsulinemia and postprandial hyperglucagonemia are common features. It was the aim of the present study to evaluate the impact of glucagon on proANP and the possible mechanisms ...

Objectives: Gastrointestinal hormones are known to modulate satiety. The mechanisms underlying the impact of glucagon on satiety are so far unknown. However, it can be postulated that the glucagon-induced reduction in hunger feeling is mediated through changes in Cholecystokinin (CCK), which is known to play a role in meal termination. It was the aim of the present study to evaluate the impact of glucagon on CCK and the modulation of these effects in obesity.<p class="abst...

Introduction: Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are rare, benign tumors, arising from neural crest cells. Their incidence amongst adrenal masses is 0.3%-6%. The majority are incidentalomas and hormonally inactive but a subset may cause compressive effects. Presentation in the context of genetic syndromes (NF1/NF2, RET, MAX, Von Hippel Lindau disease) has been reported. We present two cases of adrenal GNs: Case 1. A 31-year-old female patient who presented with a history o...

Introduction: The pathogenesis of Graves’ disease (GD) and Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is not completely understood. On the other hand, vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to a variety of chronic autoimmune diseases. The primary aim of this study was to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of GD. Secondary aim was to search for their association with GO.<...

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department with generalized seizures. She reported general malaise, anorexia, headache and multiple episodes of vomiting that started about 12 h before admission. She had a history of recent thyroidectomy, and she was on oral calcium carbonate (3 gr/day) and alpha calcidol (3 mg/day). Non-contrast head CT scan was negative for major findings. Laboratory work up revealed hypercalcemia (corrected calcium 14,4 mg/dl), renal impair...

Meningioma is a common, usually benign, tumor of the brain and the spinal cord that originates from any dura surface. Such lesion accounts for 10 to 15% of nonadenomatous sellar masses. Purely intrasellar meningiomas are relatively rare and can mimic a nonfunctioning adenoma. A 33-year-old man with a history of 1.5 year fatigue, anemia and erectile dysfunction referred to our department. The laboratory data revealed low levels of ACTH, Cortisol, FSH, LH and Testosterone, while...

We report on a case of a 63-year-old male patient with a history of metastatic DTC, with both lung and bone metastases and an additional paravertebral mass. The patient presented with enlargement of the left thyroid lobe. FNA was positive for malignancy and subsequent CTs were negative for distant metastases, whereas laboratory tests showed elevated thyroglobulin (Tg>500 ng/ml). The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and the pathology report revealed a multifocal, folli...