Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Oestrogens and androgens modulate the effects of growth hormone (GH). Sex differences have been described in acromegaly, with conflicting results in different populations. Additionally, data on sex differences in tumour histopathology are scarce.Aims: To analyse the influence of sex and menopause status in tumour characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with acromegaly.Materials and methods: Retrospective coh...

Introduction: The prevalence of palpable nodules varies between 3–7% and nodules diagnosed by ultrasonography between 20–76%. According to the American Thyroid Association’s guidelines it isn’t recommended to perform routine thyroid ultrasound for thyroid nodules diagnosis, unless they are palpable or there are any risk factors.Objective: Evaluation of sonographic and cytological differences between palpable and non-palpable thyroid n...

Introduction: Graves’ disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children. Therapeutic options available (anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodide, and thyroidectomy) are associated with complications and treatment of this age group remains controversial.Objective: To review our experience in the management of pediatric patients with GD.Materials and methods: Retrospective review of 35 children, diagnosed betwee...

Introduction: The metabolic consequences of hyperprolactinemia and the repercussions of its treatment with dopaminergic agonists are not yet fully understood. This study aims to evaluate the metabolic profile of patients with prolactinomas (prevalence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and obesity) and identify the potential variations after treatment with bromocriptine.Methods: Retrospective study of patients followed between 1962 and 2013. Included 17...

Prolactin is mainly found in the monomeric form although it can also occur in the big-PRL and bigbigPRL (bbPRL) form: a complex of prolactin and immunoglobulin G. The latter has reduced bioactivity despite maintaining its imunorreactivity. This can cause false positive results representing the main cause of interassay variability in prolactin measurement. It should therefore be considered in every study concerning hyperprolactinemia. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of bbPR...

Objective: The pathogenesis of pituitary tumours is still incompletely understood. Somatotropinomas occur both sporadically and in the context of familial syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), Carney complex (CNC) and isolated familial somatotropinoma (IFS). Recently, germline mutations were reported in AIP (aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein) gene in Finish and Italian families and in Finish patients with apparently sporadic pituitar...

Introduction: Kallmann Syndrome (KS) consists of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia, and is 5 fold more prevalent in males. There is a considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity and a crescent interest in autosomal genes. The FGFR1 gene, located on the short arm of chromossome 8, encodes a glycoprotein fibroblast growth factor receptor and FGFR1 mutations has been identified in 10% of KS patients. The clinical picture include typical KS and associated features....

Introduction: Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) has been considered to be the gold standard for differential diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease (CD) and ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS).Aim: To describe the experience of our centre in performing IPSS, its safety and efficacy; assess remission rates from transphenoidal surgery and clinical course; approach to the difficulty in the etiological diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s Syndrome.<p c...

Introduction: The aging population brought new challenges in several diseases. Pituitary tumors are usually not related with elderly, although the rise in life expectancy has allowed its diagnosis in unusual age groups.Aim: To describe the pituitary tumors diagnosed in patients with age ≥ 80 yearsMethods: Retrospective observational study which included 23 patients with pituitary tumors with age ≥ 80 years observed in c...

Background: Low serum testosterone (LST) is associated with some chronic diseases, changes in body composition and resistance to insulin. Diabetes is one condition that has high prevalence of LST.Objetive: To determine the prevalence of LST in men with diabetes and its relationship with age, anthropometric and biochemical data.Material and methods: A cross-sectional study of 65 men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes was conducted, wit...