Endocrine Abstracts

The Northern Cancer Network Guidelines produced in 1999 for the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) state that patients should undergo two challenge scans after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation; 6 months and 18 months after ablation. Due to the significant morbidity associated with thyroid hormone withdrawal in preparation for challenge scans, the need for the second scan has been questioned in the presence of a negative first scan and undetectable se...

Introduction:Amiodarone is a life saving anti arrhythmic drug,but it has a complex side effect profile involving organs that include thyroid,lungs, liver and eyes. It is well known that patients on long term amiodarone therapy should be followed up in a structured manner including regular thyroid function tests,liver function tests,chest xray and eye examination.There are guidelines suggested by the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for amiodarone...

Aim: To assess the outcome of thyroid surgery in a District General Hospital.Methods: Retrospective study of thyroid surgery done over a 3-year period(1999-2002). Indications for surgery, pre and postoperative thyroid status, extent of surgery, post operative complications and post operative histology were evaluated.Results: 124 patients underwent surgery for thyroid disease. 90 % were female and 10 % male, median age of 52 years (...

Background: The objective of this study was to define the incidence and prevalence of treated thyroid dysfunction in a complete and representative population base.Method: We used record-linkage technology to retrospectively identify subjects treated for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in the general population of Tayside, Scotland from 1 January 1993 to 30 April 1997. Thyroid status was ascertained by record-linkage of patient-level datasets containing...

Patient empowerment through informed choice is an important message; consistently reinforced through Government initiatives, Trust directives and our Professional Code of Conduct. Historically the Endocrine Nurse Specialist (ENS) performed the role of clinic nurse during Endocrine Clinic. Recognising this as a waste of specialist expertise and resource; identified drug company funding provided a replacement clinic nurse, liberating the ENS to see patients following their docto...

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by various combinations of tumours of the parathyroid, enteropancreatic and anterior pituitary glands. With the identification of the MEN1 gene, the genetic diagnosis of this condition is now possible. In this study, we have examined whether different clinical presentations of MEN1 are more likely to yield positive mutation result.Methods: We analysed t...