Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Several new gene mutations have been reported in recent years to be associated with a risk of familial phaeochromocytomas (PHAEOs). However, it is unclear as to whether extensive genetic testing is required in all patients (pts).Methods: Clinical data of consecutive patients operated for PHAEO over a decade in a tertiary referral centre were reviewed. Genetic screening was performed using a ten-gene panel: RET, VHL, SDHB, SDHD, SDHA, SDHC, SD...

Introduction: Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare tumours with high morbidity. The majority are benign and surgically curable, but genetic testing suggests that many are associated with germline mutations, and careful long-term follow-up of patients and their family members is important. Regular biochemical screening with plasma or urinary metanephrines (uMetanephrines) is essential, but currently 24-h collections of uMetanephrines is cumbersome and inconven...

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are common conditions that regularly coexist and can act synergistically to drive adverse outcomes. The prevalence of NAFLD in T2DM is 70%, with 16% having evidence of advanced hepatic fibrosis.Aims: Our study therefore had two aims: Firstly, to define the attitudes and current clinical practice of diabetes specialists towards NAFLD across the UK and secondly, to implement...

Context: Disease processes that affect the pituitary stalk are broad, ranging from indolent lesions requiring simple observation to severe lesions with significant implications. Diagnosis and management of these lesions remains unclear.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical presentation, biochemical and pathology characteristics of pituitary stalk thickening lesions and their association with specific MRI features in order to provide...

Introduction: GEP-NENs represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with increasing incidence in the last years. Pathogenesis and risk factors of sporadic GEP-NENs are not clear and still debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the main risk factors for sporadic GEP-NENs in patients followed by the NETTARE Unit (NeuroEndocrine TAsk force of of ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome).Methods: We performed a case-control study including 32 consecuti...

Introduction: Glucose metabolism impairment is a common complication of acromegaly. Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are used as both first and second line treatment. The effect of SSAs on glucose metabolism in acromegaly is still debated.Aim: To address the following questions: 1) do SSAs affect glucose metabolism? 2) does the effect correlate with disease control? 3) do different SSAs – Lanreotide (LAN) and octreotide LAR (OCT) – affect metabolism...

Background: Hypothalamic-pituitary function and adipose tissue are deeply interconnected. Obesity has been linked to morpho-functional changes in several endocrine glands (thyroid, adrenal, gonads). No study has quantified the appearance of the pituitary gland in obese subjects.Aim: To measure pituitary signal intensity, homogeneity and texture of the pituitary gland at magnetic resonance (MR) in obese subjects free of focal pituitary disease.<p clas...

Background: Sunitinib (SUN) is a novel oral multitarget tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common side effects of SUN. The mechanisms inducing thyroid dysfunction are still poorly understood.Aim: Identify the incidence, severity, ultrasonographic changes and pattern of response of thyroid function tests during treatment w...

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) show promising efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of advanced cancers, butlong-term response is currently limited to a subset of patients. Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreased muscle function which occurs in approximately 50% of advanced cancer patients,related to malnutrition, inflammation, and treatments.Objective: The aim of this prospective o...

Background: Patients with adrenal incidentalomas and possible autonomous cortisol secretion (pACS) suffer from a high rate of cardiovascular events and mortality. We have previously showed that left ventricular mass index (LVMi) is higher in patients with pACS, compared with patients with non-functioning adenomas (NFA). To date, the management of pACS is still controversial, with a lack of consensus regarding the benefits of surgery.Objectives: This pros...