Endocrine Abstracts

Partial lipodystrophy syndromes are characterised by a selective paucity of subcutaneous adipose tissue on the trunk and limbs but excessive fat on the face, neck, supraclavicular areas and pelvis. Metabolic complications include insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There have been no previous reports of genital disfiguremment in these conditions.We present the case of a 27 years old female, who initially presented to the gynaecology ...

Malignant glucagonomas are slow-growing tumours which more commonly cause symptoms through glucagon hypersecretion than through effects of tumour bulk. The glucagonoma syndrome includes necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), diabetes mellitus, weight loss, anaemia, chelitis, venous thrombosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The syndrome probably results from unrestrained proteolysis1, and rapid consumption of B-vitamins through accelerated intermediate metabolism2...

Hypopituitarism is associated with premature vascular mortality. Growth hormone (GH) deficiency, over-replacement with glucocorticoid, cranial irradiation and traditional vascular risk factors are possible contributing factors to the excess mortality.We studied 200 consecutive adult hypopituitary age (mean standard deviation) 51.7 plus/minus 15.3 years, who attended our pituitary clinic between July and December 2002. Hypertension was defined as blood pr...

Glucocorticoid (GC) excess is associated with significant brain morphological changes including loss of volume and cerebral atrophy. These effects correlate with the degree and duration of GC elevation1. The neuropsychological abnormalities associated with GC excess, however, remain poorly understood2. Patients with Cushing’s syndrome represent a useful model in which to study the effects of severe and prolonged GC excess.We pr...