Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Opioid drugs are used frequently for the management of moderate-to-severe chronic pain. Whilst their use is known to impact on endocrine function, this impact is not always well described. We present an unusual case of opioid-induced primary hypoadrenalism, which fully resolved on withdrawal of opioid medications.Case: A 54-year old female presented with a 13-month history of severe thoracic arthritic pain, for wh...

Introduction: Opioid drugs are used frequently for the management of moderate-to-severe chronic pain. Whilst their use is known to impact on endocrine function, this impact is not always well described. We present an unusual case of opioid-induced primary hypoadrenalism, which fully resolved on withdrawal of opioid medications.Case: A 54-year old female presented with a 13-month history of severe thoracic arthritic pain, for wh...

25% of Cushing’s syndrome cases are caused by cortisol producing tumours of the adrenal glands. Adrenalectomy is standard treatment followed by glucocorticoid replacement therapy until the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis recovers. We present a challenging case of adrenal insufficiency after unilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing’s syndrome. A 38 year-old woman was referred with hyperlipidaemia and uncontrolled hypertension diagnosed 4 years previously. Examination ...

Cardiac phaeochromocytomas account for only 1% of all extra-adrenal phaeochromocytomas. We present a rare case, which through a multidisciplinary approach achieved an excellent outcome. A 49-year-old male presented with chest pain. Echocardiography revealed a pericardial mass behind the left atrium and subsequent cardiac angiography confirmed a highly vascular lesion, suspicious for a phaeochromocytoma. Urine and plasma metanephrines were elevated; urine normetadrenaline 10888...

Case history: An asymptomatic 26-year-old female was found to have hypercalcaemia with an associated normal PTH and vitamin D deficiency on blood tests in primary care. She was referred to the endocrinology clinic for further assessment. There was no history of renal calculi, constipation or fractures. The patient was taking the combined oral contraceptive pill only. There was a family history of hypercalcaemia, with an uncle affected in his 50s and a first cousin in his 20s. ...