Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: BRAF (V600E) mutation is the most frequent detected genetic change in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and its presence has been related to aggressive clinical and pathological features. Lymph node metastases (LNMx) are common in PTC and are associated with an increase in loco-regional recurrence. However, prophylactic lymph node dissection is not routinely performed because of high rate of surgery complications. Therefore, there is a need to find a good marker to ...

Zebrafish has emerged as an important vertebrate in vivo model to study human disease. Steroidogenesis in zebrafish is not well characterised. Human CYP11A1 (hCYP11A1) catalyses the first step of steroidogenesis, the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. Zebrafish Cyp11a1 (zCyp11a1) is essential during embryogenesis. Published data suggest that zCyp11a1 facilitates steroidogenesis in the interrenal (equivalent to mammalian adrenal), gonad and brain. We identified...

Background: Zebrafish is emerging as a comprehensive model system in endocrinology. Zebrafish synthesise steroid hormones in the interrenal (counterpart of the mammalian adrenal), gonad and brain. Data on steroidogenic pathways is patchy and steroidogenic enzymes in zebrafish have not been well characterised. Human 17α-hydroxylase (hCYP17A1) facilitates two conversion steps, 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase reactions in the adrenal and gonad. Two zCyp17a (zCyp17a1; zC...

Tolvaptan (TV), an ADH V2-receptor blocker, is useful in treating SIADH-induced hyponatremia. Maximum aquaresis following 15 mg TV occurs on day 1, when excess body water is greatest. This can cause a sharp rise in natremia, and poses a risk of overcorrection. Our aim was to evaluate an initial dose of 7.5 mg.Methods: We studied 7 hospitalized patients with SIADH (4 females), median age 80 (57–95), with nadir natremias (Nap) ranging from ...

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered a rare cause of pituitary dysfunction. Recently, some retrospective studies demonstrated that TBI-mediated hypopituitarism is more frequent than previously known. However, its prevalence and natural history are still unclear.Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of hypopituitarism 1 year after TBI and the association between the seriousness of the traumatism and the pituitary deficits.<p class...

Introduction: High-resolution US and US FNA are techniques of great relevance in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. They are being used much more often by endocrinologists all over the world. In our Endocrinology Department, we started them in 2006; since then they have been progressively amplified. We present our results of US FNA performed from January 2007 until December 2009.Patients and methods: Two thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven FNA were ...

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) remains the mainstay in the study of thyroid nodules, with cytologic adequate specimens in almost 85% of cases in expert hands. Apart from the limitation of inadequate samples, there are false negative diagnoses in some cases, particularly in larger (>3 cm) nodules. Considering this, Large-needle biopsy (LNB) could be useful to improve diagnostic precision. We review the pathology reports (PR) of more than 100 patients operated since ...

Introduction: Characteristically the discordant thyroid function test has been attributed to TSH-producing hypophyseal adenoma, familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia and thyroid hormone resistance syndrome. We presented 2 cases with raised peripheral thyroid hormones with detectable TSH due to the presence of auto-antibodies against the peripheral thyroid hormones (PTAAb). <thead valign="...

Introduction: Diabetes is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous studies have shown contradictory results regarding the effect of prediabetes in the development of CKD.Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the SPRINT trial (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) involving 9361 patients without diabetes and with an increased cardiovascular risk (clinical or subclinical cardiovascular disease, estimated glomerular filtr...

Introduction: The European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline defines follow-up recommendations for AI based on the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test and the presence of associated comorbidities. Follow-up is not recommended for AI presenting serum cortisol levels post dexamethasone ≤1.8 μg/dl neither those presenting serum cortisol levels post dexamethasone between 1.9–5 μg/dl (defined as ‘possible autonomous cortisol se...