Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Various treatment modalities are used for acromegalic patients to normalise growth hormone and IGF-1 values to those matched with the normal population in order to normalise morbidity and mortality. A retrospective audit was undertaken to review the treatment outcomes of four therapy groups. 1. Surgery alone, 2. Surgery and radiotherapy, 3. Surgery, radiotherapy and adjunct therapy, 4. Surgery and adunct without radiotherapy.</...

Objective: Various treatment modalities are used for acromegalic patients to normalise growth hormone and IGF-1 values to those matched with the normal population in order to normalise morbidity and mortality. A retrospective audit was undertaken to review the treatment outcomes of four therapy groups. 1. Surgery alone, 2. Surgery and radiotherapy, 3. Surgery, radiotherapy and adjunct therapy, 4. Surgery and adunct without radiotherapy.</...

Data presented in 2011 identified a lack of steroid management knowledge in both patients and hospital staff. Numerous strategies have now been put in place to address this. These strategies have not only focused on patient education, but also on raising steroid awareness across the Trust.The first 48 respondents of a pre steroid education nurse survey, concerning steroid awareness, showed that, 48% did not know what an adrenal crisis is, but that 65% kn...

A 59 year old women presented to the accident and emergency department with tachycardia and hypotension following a one day history of feeling unwell. She was peripherally shutdown, cyanosed, hypoxic, had a purpuric rash and numbness to her fingers. CT scan revealed bilateral adrenal haemorrhage consistent with Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. This was further confirmed with a Short synacthen test(SST) showing a peak 30 minute cortisol of 102 nmol/l. She was commenced on oral...

Rapid and appropriate response to an Adrenal crisis is a matter of life and death. Could greater patient and professional awareness together with modern technology assist in preventing mortality? Patients often first present with adrenal crisis in A&E departments. Whether the cause is primary or secondary adrenal failure, the initial treatment remains the same. Our objective was threefold: Educate and give greater awareness of steroid therapy to hospital staff, educate and...