Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Bone densitometry is currently one of the mainstays in the evaluation of systemic bone diseases. The most frequently assessed densitometric parameter is areal bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and expressed as g/cm2. However BMD is a bone size-dependent measure and may be found inappropriately low in children and adults with short stature. Osteopenia/osteoporosis have been described in patients with short s...

Bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (BP-NETs) comprise 20% of all lung cancers. Typical low grade carcinoid tumors (TC) represent the majority of BP-carcinoids. Intermediate grade atypical carcinoid tumors (AC) are less often encountered but more aggressive. Although metastatic dissemination to mediastinal lymph nodes as well as liver, skeleton, central nervous system, skin and mammary glands is well known, the involvement of endocrine glands is really rare.<p class="ab...

Rare cases of Cushing’s syndrome have been diagnosed only based upon bone manifestations. Fracture risk is related to individual susceptibility to glucocorticoids that is genetically determined by several factors, including VDR gene polymorphism.We report three patients with VDR FokI gene polymorphism and multiple non-traumatic pathologic fractures as the presenting manifestation of Cushing’s syndrome.The second case is a...

Introduction: Solid cell nests (SCNs) of the thyroid are considered embryological remnants of the ultimobranchial bodies and the thyroid diverticulum. They are frequently (61–89%) detected in the thyroid gland, but their biological significance remains disputable. According to the fetal cell thyroid carcinogenesis hypothesis SCNs may act as a source for specific thyroid cancer stem cells generating distinct thyroid cancer phenotypes. We report a case of a patient with con...

Introduction: Pneumocephalus is defined as the presence of air within the cranial cavity. It is usually associated with neurosurgical procedures but can also be caused by craniofacial trauma, infections and tumours of the skull base and rarely can occur spontaneously. Neoplasms involving the pituitary fossa are unusual causes of spontaneous pneumocephalus.Case report: A 39-year-old man presented in the emergency department with significant visual loss, h...

Introduction: Acromegaly is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, in part, as a consequence of the increased insulin resistance that frequently accompanies GH hypersecretion. Glucose tolerance may worsen in patients treated with somatostatin analogs (SSA).Objective: To compare the long term effects of SSA treatment to successful surgery on glucose metabolism in Cretan acromegalic patients.Design and meth...

Introduction: Adrenal crisis due to primary adrenal insufficiency may result in severe morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed or ineffectively treated. Main manifestations are hypotension (>90%), hyponatremia (70–80%), and hyperkalemia (30–40%), while hypoglycemia is rare. An unusual case of a septic patient with hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia with hypoglycemic coma as first manifestation of acute adrenal insufficiency is presented.Case pre...

Introduction: Animal studies suggest that maternal obesity may impact foetal brain structure and function and increase long-term susceptibility to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Few human studies have examined these associations with conflicting results. It is unclear if reported associations are due to genetic background or intrauterine mechanisms.Objective: To investigate the association of maternal and paternal obesity status with ...

Hypothalamic hormonal deficiency and anterior pituitary hormonal deficiency is a rare occurrence in patients presenting with HIV infection. We describe a patient with HIV infection who presented with secondary amenorrhea as the initial manifestation.Case report: A 34-year-old woman with previously regular menses presented with secondary amenorrhea by 9 months. The patient had mild gait instability for 7 months; anorexia and weight loss (10 kg) for the la...

IntroductionAlemtuzumab is an anti-CD52 antibody, leading to lysis and transient depletion of T and B lymphocytes. Its therapeutic effect is mediated by the alteration in immune repertoire that accompanies subsequent lymphocyte reconstitution. It is mainly used for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Common side effects are autoimmune diseases, including thyroid disease (>40%), immune thrombocytopenia (IT...