Endocrine Abstracts

54 year south Asian woman was found to have mild hypercalcaemia of 2.64mmol/l, vitamin D of 21 nmol/land PTH of 4.9 pmol/lin 2013. She had a DEXA scan showing osteopenia of the fourth lumbar vertebrae. She did not have any symptoms suggestive of hypercalcaemia but reported generalised aches and pains. She had a past medical history of hysterectomy, right oophorectomy, dyspepsia and asthma. She was initially treated with vitamin D. Repeat calcium, vitamin D and PTH normalised a...

Adrenal myelolipoma is rare benign tumor composed of mature adipose cells and hematopoietic elements. Their mostly small size (<5 cm), unilateral site, and clinical quiescence is accountable for predominantly incidental disclosure. We report a case of 54-year-old man complaining of gradually aggravating pain in right hemiabdomen in whom abdominal CT revealed bilateral and giant adrenal masses composed of predominately adipose tissue with interspersed areas of solid parts d...

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), previously termed De Morsier’s syndrome, is a rare developmental disorder of midline brain structures characterized by optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), midline neuroradiological abnormalities, and pituitary–hypothalamic dysfunction such as GH deficiency. The phenotype is highly variable and the clinical presentation may be mild or extremely severe. It is an infrequent disease and its causation is most presumably multifactorial, involving env...

Overeating contributes to obesity epidemic and has many causes. Evidence shows that problematic eating behaviours can be modified with mindfulness. In the UK the use of mindfulness in management of obesity has been studied only once before. We aimed to pilot a new weight management course that would improve patients’ skills and confidence in ability to lose weight, and reduce patient waiting time. The course covered mindful eating, compassion and self-esteem, managing rel...

We report the results of the first Europe-wide survey of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) disorders by the European MEN Alliance (EMENA). METHOD: An online questionnaire was distributed via patient groups, social media and health professionals. A total of 284 responses were analysed. RESULTS: 35% (n=99) UK responses and 65% (n=185) from 17 other EU countries: 68% female, 32% male (UK; 75% and 25%). Disorders represented were: MEN1 n=2...

We report the results of the first Europe-wide survey of the Quality of Care of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) disorders by the European MEN Alliance (EMENA).Method: An online questionnaire was distributed via patient groups, social media and health professionals. A total of 284 responses were analysed.Results: 35% (n=99) of responses were from UK patients and 65% (n=185) from 17 other EU countri...

Introduction: Phaeochromocytoma (PHAEO) and paraganglioma (PGL) are neuroendocrine tumors arising from neural crest-derived cells either in the adrenal gland (PHAEO) or along the central sympathetic and parasympathetic chains (PGL), including the carotid body. There is convincing evidence linking hypoxia pathways with development of PHAEO/PGL especially with genetic susceptibility. Association between PHAEO and PGL and cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) are well recognise...

Introduction: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a very rare disease in adults and as well a very rare cause of sellar expansion. The clinical presentation can be heterogeneous, from a single bone lesion to potentially fatal, widespread disease. We describe the difficulties with the evaluation and the treatment of LCH.Case: 39 years old woman has had amenorrhea for 2 years and higher intake of fluids (5–7 l/day) for 6 years. Non-functioning pitu...

Epididymis is an androgen dependent organ with four main segments; initial segment (IS), caput, corpus and cauda. It is an essential site for post-testicular sperm maturation, as spermatozoa acquire fertilizing capacity during epididymal transit. Post-testicular maturation is dependent on the proteins expressed and secreted to the lumen by epididymal cells. Androgens regulate gene expression in epididymis in a segment-specific manner. Caput-specific genes are androgen regulate...

Addison’s disease (primary adrenal cortical failure) is the lack of glucocorticoids due to disease of the adrenal gland. At 1855, when Addison described it tuberculosis (TB) was the main etiology. May be we are coming to that time. TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most commonly (third of the patients) affects the lungs, as well as the other organs. Symptoms of the disease are non specific and are deteriorating slowly, so the d...