Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The importance of highly sensitive screening tests for pheochromocytoma/paragnaglioma (PPGL) is clear. However, a low level of specificity may lead to unnecessary biochemical and imaging investigations and even to needless surgical procedures. Therefore, in patients with elevated values of metanephrines, it is essential to establish a rational threshold for performing prompt thorough diagnostic investigations rather than opting for active surveillance.<p clas...

Background: The majority of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenomas are less than 10 mm in diameter and are described as microadenomas, while corticotroph macroadenomas (≥10 mm) are a less common cause of Cushing’s disease. Prior reports on the differences of clinical and biochemical behavior of corticotroph microadenomas and macroadenomas were inconsistent.Objective: Describe the clinical and biochemical characteristic...

Background: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pituitary adenoma is the most common cause of endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS), but the relative proportion of adrenal causes of CS is rising. Limited data are available on the clinical manifestations and cause of CS in older women.Objective: Determine the clinical presentation, biochemical profile, and cause of CS in women 65 years of age and older, compared with younger patients with CS.<p cl...