Endocrine Abstracts

Lactation is under the control of the anterior and posterior pituitary via prolactin and oxytocin release. A number of galactogogues, including dopamine antagonists, have been described and used with success in lactation induction. To date, there are no reports in the literature of their use in patients with panhypopituitarism. We present the case of a forty-year-old female known to endocrinology services with a background of anterior panhypopituitarism and AVP deficiency asso...

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a diabetic emergency with associated morbidity and mortality. Current evidence supports a protocol-based approach to its management. Our survey was conducted in a tertiary university hospital, where patients with DKA are initially managed as part of unselected general medical take.Objectives: To assess knowledge and confidence of trainee doctors in DKA management. To review adherence to DKA protocol and identify areas for f...

Introduction: Hypercalcaemia in Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is usually mild and transient, but may be severe in about 5% of new presentations. Often some children will not respond well to traditional therapies.Case report: We describe three cases of acute hypercalcaemia and their management in a regional Paediatric unit. Case 1: A 16-month-old known WBS girl, presented with irritability, reduced feeding. Corrected serum calcium was 4.51 mmol/l. She wa...

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a form of diabetes that is first diagnosed during pregnancy, complicating 8–24% of all pregnancies. Despite treatment, substantial numbers of babies are born large for gestational age (LGA), predisposing them to cardio-metabolic disease in adulthood. It is difficult to predict which pregnancies are most at risk. The study aimed to determine if circulating maternal serum small extracellular vesicle (sEV) miRNAs have the potential to predict al...

Background: The autoimmune thyroid diseases, primary autoimmune hypothyroidism (AH) and Graves’ hyperthyroidism (GD), represent the most prevalent endocrine disorders. Although clinically distinct, they share several genetic susceptibility loci, many of which remain unidentified.TIGIT (T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains), expressed on the surface of T-cells, interacts with CD-155 on dendritic cells to form an alternative cost...

Background: Transsphenoidal tumour resection (TSS) is the first-line treatment for Cushing’s disease (CD). With an experienced neurosurgeon, immediate remission rates >80% are expected for patients with microadenomas (<10 mm).Aim: To report initial and long-term remission rates in a specialist centre, and to ascertain factors associated with disease recurrence after TSS.Methods: Patients with CD (n=101, 28M, 7...

Introduction: Patients in secure forensic psychiatric units are at high risk of developing obesity due to complex interplay of factors including antipsychotic medications, restrictions on freedom and poor motivation to healthy lifestyle and physical activities.Aim: To establish the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a secure forensic psychiatric hospital in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).Methods: We carried out a...

Background: Successful pituitary surgery in patients with Cushing disease (CD) can result in long term remission and sustained weight loss. We examined rates of body weight changes in the post-operative period (within 6 months) in patients with active CD who underwent transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) and the relationship of weight loss to remission status.Methods: Clinical data was obtained from a CD database in addition to an online patient medical record ...

Background: Cushing’s disease is a condition rarely encountered during pregnancy. It is known that hypercortisolism is associated with increased maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.Aims and methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was performed for cases of Cushing’s disease in pregnancy including our own case. Analysis was performed of all pregnant patients with Cushing’s disease who were treated with surgery compared to ...

Background: Most cases of Cushing’s disease originate from the pituitary, rarely the source of excess ACTH is from an ectopic pituitary adenoma.Case: A 34-year-old woman had a 12-month history of a labile mood, weight gain, easy bruising, irregular menses and hypertension, she appeared cushingoid. Biochemical investigations demonstrated hypercortisolism: 24 h urine-free cortisol 520.7 μg (4–50), ACTH 152 pg/ml (8–42); midnight salivar...