Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) encompasses a group of enzymatic defects in cortisol biosynthesis resulting in adrenal hyperplasia through chronic compensatory ACTH stimulation. Aldosterone synthase deficiency, however, is associated with normal cortisol secretion and there are no reports on whether it may be associated with adrenocortical hyperplasia.Case Presentation: A 37-year-old, Greek female was referred for further investigation...

Radioiodine treatment is the cornerstone of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) management. A number of thyroid cancers, however, become radioiodine-refractory (RAIR) and these represent about 60% of advanced DTCs and are responsible for the vast majority of DTC mortality. RAIR DTC has limited therapeutic options, mainly tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are associated with moderate efficacy and considerable toxicity. Reinducing NIS expression (redifferentiation) with the aim of...

Background: An increasing number of mutations are associated with pheochromocytomas. Genetic screening is advocated in all cases and immunohistochemistry as well as phenotype profile recognition may permit a more targeted screening for specific genes.Case Presentation: A 54-year-old male presented with symptoms compatible with pheochromocytoma and increased levels of plasma normetanephrines, metanephrines and 3-methoxytyramine. On Computed Tomography, th...

Background: ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is mostly associated with corticotroph adenomas or, infrequently, ectopic ACTH secretion(EAS). Adrenals may show diffuse bilateral enlargement or even macronodules. Adrenal metastases may occur in various cancers. They are often bilateral, irregular, with attenuation values >20 Hounsfield units(HU) on unenhanced CT scan and elevated SUVmax on FDG-PET scan. They may cause adrenal insufficiency due to the destruction of...

Background: The overwhelming majority of incidentally discovered adrenal tumours are benign adrenocortical adenomas. These can be non-functioning (NFAT) or associated with cortisol excess on a spectrum ranging from rare clinically overt adrenal Cushing’s syndrome (CS) to much more prevalent mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) without signs of CS. The 1mg-overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) further differentiates MACS-1 (possible MACS; post-DST cortisol 50...

Background: Benign adrenal tumours are found in 3-10% of adults and can be non-functioning (NFAT) or associated with adrenal hormone excess. Analysing 1305 prospectively recruited patients with benign adrenal tumours, we recently demonstrated that 45% had mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), i.e. biochemical cortisol excess without signs of Cushing’s syndrome (CS). MACS increases the prevalence and severity of hypertension and type 2 diabetes (Ann Int Med. 2022 Doi:...