Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Kisspeptins (KISS1) and their receptor, KISS-1R, are expressed at higher levels in first trimester placental trophoblast cells than in term gestation. Expression is localised to the trophoblast compartment. In contrast to KISS1 which is only expressed in the villous trophoblast, KISS-1R is also found in the extravillous trophoblast population. Kisspeptins produced by first trimester trophoblast cells inhibited migration. Pre-eclampsia is known to be caused due to d...

Introduction: Carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) is a rare, low-grade thyroid carcinoma, with indolent clinical course and usually a favorable prognosis. The clinical and imagistic features are not specific for CASTLE but similar to other malignant lesions of the thyroid, making diagnosis difficult and reliant on immunohistochemical examination. The conclusive diagnosis requires pathological examination and positive cluster of differentiation 5 (CD5) immuno...

Cell immortalization has been considered for a long time as a classic hallmark of cancer cells. Besides telomere maintenance due to the ‘alternative mechanism of telomere lengthening’ it was advanced that such immortalization could be due to telomerase reactivation, but the mechanisms underlying such reactivation remained elusive.Mutations in the coding region of telomerase gene are very rare in the cancer setting, despite being associated with...

BackgroundPosterior pituitary ectopia is a rare congenital condition that consists of the abnormal position of the distinctly hyperintense signal suggestive of the posterior pituitary gland on magnetic resonance imaging. The classical features include the ectopic location of the posterior pituitary gland, pituitary stalk abnormalities and associated clinical manifestations related to isolated growth hormone deficiency. In rare cases, some patients suffer...

Introduction: Fine needle biopsy (FNB) is a very important diagnostic tool in the assessment of thyroid nodules and plays a prominent role in therapeutic approach. It has a sensitivity around 83 to 85% and a specificity around 80 to 92%.Aims: To correlate cytological (FNB) and final histopathological data in patients with nodular thyroid pathology.Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent surgical procedure from Janu...

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease, characterized by reduction and changes in the bone mass quantity and quality, leading to an increased risk of fractures. It can be divided in primary (postmenopausal or senile), secondary and idiopathic. In the presence of osteoporotic fractures, particularly in men before the age of 65, it is essential to investigate the presence of secondary causes in order to establish an etiological therapy.Case...

Background: Denosumab (Dmab) is a human monoclonal antibody with an anti-reabsorptive bone effect, used in osteoporosis treatment. It is also suggested that Dmab may improve glucose tolerance through the reduction of hepatic insulin resistance. Some studies have suggested that insulin sensitivity and glycemia can influence bone metabolism.Aims: To evaluate the relationship between bone turnover markers (BTM) and insulin resistance and glycemia in fractur...

Addison’s disease (AD), also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is caused by destruction or dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, resulting in hypocortisolism. The usual clinical features of chronic AD are non-specific and include fatigue, nausea, vomiting and hyperpigmentation. We describe the case of a 58-year-old African black male with AD presenting with recurring severe hypoglycaemia. The patient was admitted several times to the emergency department with hypoglyca...

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare group of genetic disorders characterised by end-organ resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH). We describe the case of a 34-year-old Caucasian female with severe hypocalcaemia presenting with a first generalised seizure. Her medical history was significant for bilateral cataract. She had three healthy children, and no family history of note. On examination, she had positive Chvostek’s sign. Biochemical analysis showed serum calcium...

Introduction: Trans-axillary surgery is an emerging technique for cervical approach with fantastic cosmetic result. With more than 50 cases treated by our group, we developed our technique with specific safe methodologies.Aims: To present step-by-step technique of trans-axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy.Material and methods: This is a video surgery that uses three trocars and a harmonic scalpel for dissection and ligation. Incision...