Endocrine Abstracts

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a variety of neoplastic lesions distributed in most organs and apparata. The current World Health Organization (WHO 2010) introduced tumor grading (G1–G3) and tumour node metastasis (TNM) staging for class definition. The proposed grading system defines three classes (G1–G3) according to both mitotic count and Ki67 index. Three classes were defined as WHO class 1, neuroendocrine tumor (NET), G1; WHO class 2, NET G2 and WHO class 3,...

Subclinical Cushing’s syndrome, defined as evidence of alterations of the HPA axis in patients without stigmata of hypercortisolism, is a frequent finding among patients with adrenal incidentalomas. It is well-known that this condition is associated with several co-morbidities, such as hypertension in 2/3 of the cases, diabetes in 1/3, and dyslipidemia, which impair the cardiovascular risk profile of those patients. Recently, different independent reports on the natural h...

Purpose: 111In-octreotide scinti aphy may be useful in patients with insulinoma during pre-surgical localization of the tumor and octreotide is effective in inhibiting insulin secretion and reducing the hypoglycemic events. The aim of the study was to evaluate 111in-octreotide scintigraphy in localizing primary and metastatic insulinomas and predicting the response to octreotide administration.Patients and methods: Diagnosis of insulinoma was made in 17 ...

IntroductionA high calcium-phosphate product is thought to increase the risk of soft tissue calcification in hypoparathyroidism, including cataracts. Based on small case series, cataracts in hypoparathyroidism typically develop in the posterior subcapsular region of the lens. However, the mechanism of cataract formation is still not well understood.Materials and methodsIn a large cohort of 1014 patients with ...

Introduction: Adjuvant therapy with aromatase-inhibitors (AIs) increases bone loss and fracture risk. Concomitant antiresorptive treatment is currently recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AIs on bone metabolism and mineral density at 12 and 24 months.Methods: Among 400 women on AIs who attended our Endocrinology Unit from 2014 to 2016, we retrospectively evaluated those who initially refused antiresorptive and took cholecalc...

Context: ß-CTX are considered useful markers of response to denosumab and other anti-resorbtive treatments for osteoporosis. We report an unusual case of a completely absent effect of both denosumab and bisphosphonates on bone resorption markers.Case description: In 2017 a 74-year-old woman sought medical attention at the Endocrinology Unit of Policlinico di Sant’Orsola for the evaluation of an adrenal adenoma associated with osteoporosis. Meno...

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) features a higher prevalence of cardiovascular events and renal complications as compared with essential hypertension. The effects of aldosterone excess on ascending aorta have never been investigated in human subjects.Methods: From August 2014 to December 2015, we enrolled forty-seven consecutive PA outpatients who had not undergone surgery of the adrenal mass. Hypercortisolism and pheochromocytoma were excluded....

Introduction: Hypoparathyroidism Bone Score (TBS) has been associated with fragility fractures in post-menopausal women. Estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer is usually treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs), with international guidelines recommending initial bone density (BMD) evaluation, since this therapy is associated with high rates of fragility fractures. Each Country has different thresholds of intervention to recommend pharmacologic treatment for fracture preventi...

Context: Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (NHPT) is considered as an earlier or milder phenotype compared to traditional primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). To make a correct diagnosis, secondary hyperparathyroidism due to low calcium intake must be excluded. Whether calcium intake might affect presentation of PHPT vs NHPT has never been addressed consistently.Objective: To describe patients with a diagnosis of NHPT or PHPT in relation to their calcium ...

Context: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) may be treated with denosumab due to coexisting osteoporosis. Few studies have been conducted in this population.Case presentation: An 84-year-old woman was seen in the outpatient clinic in March 2018 due to calcium levels at the upper limit of reference range (10,2 mg/dl) associated with elevated levels of PTH (112 pg/ml) and sufficient 25(OH)Vit D (24 ng/ml) levels, findings consistent with mild...