Endocrine Abstracts

Background and Aims: Studies have revealed increased vascular mortality, particularly cerebrovascular mortality in hypopituitary adults. Cranial radiotherapy has been implicated. This study was designed to assess the impact of cranial irradiation upon cerebrovascular function in patients with pituitary disease.Methods: Three groups were studied: - Group 1- (n=12), patients with pituitary disease who have had cranial radiotherapy, Group 2- (n</i...

The link between thyrotoxicosis and coronary artery disease is complex with associations between therapy and vasculitis, as well as thyroid hormone excess and coronary artery spasm described. We present a 37-year-old female with a one-year history of Graves thyrotoxicosis treated with Propylthiouracil, who presented acutely with chest pain and a left hemiparesis. Typical electrocardiography changes and elevation of Troponin T confirmed a recent myocardial infarction, and CT sc...

A 14 year old girl, with a family history of MEN1, presented with secondary amenorrhoea and weight gain. Biochemical investigation revealed raised 24-hour urinary free cortisol excretions (1455, 1190, 614 nmol/24 hours; normal <290) and failure of cortisol suppression following 48 hours of low dose (0.5 mg qds) dexamethasone (199 nmol/l to 202 nmol/l). High dose dexamethasone administration (2 mg qds) for 48 hours resulted in further suppression of serum cortisol to 49 nmo...

A 40 year old gentleman presented with dramatic weight loss and a rash in the perineal area spreading to involve his face, trunk, legs and feet. Initial investigations demonstrated a normocytic anaemia with no evidence of thyroid disease or diabetes. Occasional diarrhoea prompted subsequent investigations including upper GI endoscopy, duodenal biopsy, pancreatic exocrine testing and barium follow-through studies which were normal. His 24 hour urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid...

Background: Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis (SEL) is an excessive fat deposition in the spinal canal which can lead to compression of nervous structures. SEL is a rare but recognised side effect of exogenous steroid excess. There are only six previously reported cases of SEL associated with endogenous steroid excess in the available literature. We present a case of SEL, caused by Cushing’s disease, that presented in the immediate post-operative period.C...

Backround: Male hypogonadism is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and approximately 25% of males suffering with coronary heart disease are hypogonadal. Few studies have assessed the impact of testosterone therapy on vascular function in hypogonadal individuals and none have investigated the weekly impact of gradually reducing testosterone concentrations on vasculature.Patients and Methods: 10 hypogonadal subjects (6 wi...