Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid nodules can be associated with non-diagnostic (ND) results, despite the usage of ultrasound (US) guidance. It is recommended to repeat the FNAC because of the possible risk of malignancy in these nodules.Aim: To evaluate the influence of demographic, clinical and echographic characteristics in the recurrence of ND FNAC in a thyroid nodule.Methods: Retrospective review ...

Introduction: Prembrolizumab, a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, is one of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that have revolutionized cancer therapy. However, ICIs can also trigger immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in different organ systems, including endocrine glands. While thyroid dysfunction is among the most common endocrinopathies reported, ICI-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) is extremely rare, with an overall incidence ranging from 0.9 to 2%.</p...

Background: Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage (Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome) is a rare consequence of sepsis (usually a result of meningococcal infection), with an estimated 15% mortality. Despite the predominant association with meningococcal infection, there are other recognised aetiologies: sepsis resulting from other organisms, and non-infectious causes, such as anticoagulant treatment, trauma and postoperative adrenal haemorrhage.Case report: A...

Introduction: Almost all type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients have autoantibodies (ab) at disease onset. These ab prevalence varies according to patients’ age, origin and disease duration.Aim: Determine diabetes mellitus ab prevalence in a paediatric and adult T1DM Portuguese according to their age on diagnosis, gender and diabetes duration.Methods: Retrospective review of T1DM ab (glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 autoantibo...

False elevation of estradiol(E2) due to immunoassay interference is a rare but important phenomenon reported in the literature. It is most commonly related to cross-reactivity(CR) from drugs sharing structural similarity with E2, namely fulvestrant and exemestane. These laboratory interferences(LI) can lead to unnecessary investigation/inappropriate treatments. Therefore, in such instances, a more selective and sensitive method is required. We present the case of a young femal...

Phaeochromocytoma in pregnancy is an extremely rare condition. Early recognition can largely decrease maternal and fetal mortality rates. As symptoms of phaeochromocytoma are similar to those of other more common causes of hypertension during pregnancy, timely diagnosis is a challenge. There is no consensus in literature about the specific treatment nor about the optimal delivery timing or route. Case of a 32 years old woman with a single pregnancy of 30 weeks and 3 days admit...

Background: To stratify the risk of malignancy, thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important and cost-effective method to evaluate nodules. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology III, IV and V categories are diagnostic challenges, falling between benign and malignant.Objective: Determinate the malignancy rates of thyroid nodules classified as Bethesda Categories III-V.Methods: Retrospective study ...

Introduction: RET germline mutation in codon 634 of exon 11 is one of the most frequent mutations of classical multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A). Virtually all patients with classical MEN2A develop medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), which is often the first manifestation of the disease and usually occurs early in life. Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) tend to be diagnosed several years later or simultaneously with the MTC.Case report: The pa...

Introduction: Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH) is a rare condition, caused by activating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene. Affected individuals have hypocalcemia with inappropriately low parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.Case report: A 50-year-old woman, asymptomatic, was referred to our Endocrinology department for investigation of hypocalcemia detected in routine blood analysis (serum corrected calcium was 7.4 mg/dl &#...

Background: Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by thyroid C cells, and is considered an excellent marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the use of calcitonin to screen patients with nodular thyroid disease (NTD) remains controversial.Objective: Defining the frequency of hypercalcitoninemia among NTD patients followed at a tertiary referral hospital.Methods: Retrospective analysis of basal calcitonin measurements and ...