Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is currently believed to be the most frequent form of secondary endocrine hypertension, accounting for 5–10% of all hypertensive patients. After confirming the diagnosis, adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most accurate means of distinguishing between unilateral and bilateral adrenal disease.Case report: Female patient, 36 years-old, referred to an Endocrinology appointment in May 2009 due to lef...

Introduction: High prolactin levels may have several etiologies including the presence of a prolactin producing pituitary adenoma or the treatment with drugs of different classes. Certain physiological states, from which pregnancy stands out, are also characterized by elevated levels of prolactin.Case: Woman, 28 years old, with no relevant medical history or chronic medication apart from oral contraceptives, begins with amenorrhea in May 2010, without ga...

Introduction: The combination of two or more, autoimmune, endocrine dysfunctions defines the presence of polyglandular syndromes.Case report: Female patient, 43 years old, history of type 1 diabetes for 23 years and autoimmune hypothyroidism for 7 years, with no other relevant clinical history and without family history of autoimmune endocrinopathies. She was under therapy with insulin and levothyroxine. She came into the Endocrinology Department in May ...

Introduction: Catecholamine-secreting tumors (pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas) are rare intra and extra-adrenal neoplasms, probably occurring in less than 0.2% of patients with hypertension. Serious morbidity and mortality rates are associated with these tumors which are related to the effects of catecholamines on various organs, especially those of the cardiovascular system.Methods: We reviewed the cases of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas that...

Introduction: Intensive diabetes type 1 management can be achieved either with multiple daily insulin injection therapy or with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). The former is becoming increasingly popular do to its positive effects on glycemic control.Objectives: Evaluate the evolution of total daily insulin dose (TDID) and weight on patients with CSII.Methods: Patients with CSII of our department were included. Dat...

Introduction: The association between autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and endogenous hypercortisolism is rare. The latter is usually misinterpreted as iatrogenic in the case of patients taking exogenous systemic corticosteroid therapy. The excess endogenous glucocorticoids may play an important role in suppressing autoimmune activity. Similarly, the abrupt resolution of endogenous hypercortisolism may lead to a rebound worsening of autoimmuni...

Introduction: The continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is an alternative to multiple daily injection therapy in type 1 diabetes and its use is increasingly common due to the beneficial effects on the glycemic control of the patient.Aims: To find differences on outcomes of CSII therapy between genders. Patients and methods: Patients on CSII therapy in our department were included in the study and we recorded outcomes regarding the following set...

Introduction: Pituitary adenomas are frequent brain tumors, with prevalence of about 1:1000. Most occur sporadically. The familial forms represent 5% of cases. These can be found associated with other endocrine neoplasia (MEN 1, Carney complex, MEN 4) or as a clinical isolated entity – FIPA. This is characterized by the presence of pituitary tumors in two or more family members, in the absence of features of other endocrine syndromes. AIP gene mutation, which may or may n...

Background: The different systems for monitoring capillary blood glucose levels may suffer interference from various substances.Case report: Male patient, 48 years old, with history of hypertension, dyslipidemia and previous smoking. He presented also type 1 diabetes mellitus, with 37 years of progress, with diabetic retinopathy, kidney failure, in peritoneal dialysis since 2009, and ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction in 2005). He was treated ...

Methimazole-induced cholestatic jaundice is a rare adverse effect, dose-dependent, occurring within the first 3 months of use, usually reversible within 3 months after discontinuing drug therapy.Case report: Woman, 64 years, history of hyperthiroidism since August 2009, under therapy with methimazole 5 mg/day. The patient was referred to endocrinology department in March 2010, with history of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, ...