Endocrine Abstracts

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...

Clinical caseIntroduction: Insulinoma is a rare disorder with an estimated incidence of 1 case per 250 000 people per year.Case report: 37 years old female, with a history of irritable bowel syndrome, dyslipidemia and kidney stones. In December 2010, she developed a headache, dizziness and visual disturbances, predominantly in the evening and amnesia for some of the episodes. Initially interpreted as peripheral vertiginous syndrome, because of recurrence...

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...

Introduction: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is produced by the destruction of the magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei which results in decreased arginine vasopressin (AVP) synthesis and secretion.Case report 1: Forty-five year old female, previously healthy, was observed in April 2011 complaining of polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia and weight loss since January. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was excluded and she was ...

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, ...

Introduction: Acromegaly is a rare disorder and sporadic cases are the most frequent. It can also occur in association with genetic syndromes, such as Carney complex, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), MEN-1 like syndrome, isolated familial acromegaly and familial isolated pituitary adenomas.Case report: Thirty five -year-old man was observed in 1994 for gynecomastia. Acromegaly was diagnosed based on clinical, biochemical (IGF1 1094.7 ng/ml, b...

Introduction: Insulinomas are almost always located in the pancreas and are usually small. The peak incidence is from the third to fifth decade of life, with females being slightly more frequently affected. The average duration of neuroglycopenic symptoms prior to diagnosis is often prolonged, being more than 5 years in 20% of patients.Case presentation: Female, 52 years old, medical history notable for hypertension, dislipidemia and Graves disease. She ...

Introduction: The course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is insidious and, before its development, other glucose homeostasis abnormalities can be detected: impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and elevation of HbA1c.Aims: To compare the prevalence of glucose homeostasis abnormalities in obese patients, using diagnostic criteria of American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2009, ADA 2010 and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2...