Endocrine Abstracts

IntroductionAntithyroid drugs are widely used in the therapy of hyperthyroidism. This review (update of Cochrane review: Antithyroid drug regimen for treating Graves' hyperthyroidism. In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2003; with 4 additional trials) assesses the effects of dose, regimen and duration of antithyroid drug therapy for Graves' hyperthyroidism.MethodsThe Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLIN...

While iodine deficiency goitre is common worldwide, it is rarely described in the U.K. Vegan diet is the only real way for this deficiency to occur in the U.K. A MEDLINE search from 1966 revealed 1 reported case (Shaikh et al. Transient neonatal hypothyroidism due to a maternal vegan diet; Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism Jan 2003). We have identified 3 cases, which we will describe here.Case 1A 21-year-ol...

Background: True cyclical Cushing's syndrome is rare and usually due to an ACTH-secreting corticotrophinoma. We describe a man with cyclical Cushing's syndrome of 15 years duration who had unexpected pituitary immunohistopathology.Clinical details: A 22-year-old man presented in 1986 with clinical features of Cushing's syndrome & urinary free cortisols up to 1800 nmol/24h, but normal low-dose DXM suppression, & normal pituitary and adrenals on CT. He was then lost ...

Introduction: The clinical features and complications of Cushing’s syndrome result from chronic excess of circulating cortisol, typically quantified by 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC). LCI699 is a potent inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase. Since 11β-hydroxylase catalyzes the final step of cortisol synthesis, LCI699 is a potential new treatment for all forms of Cushing’s syndrome.Methods: Adult patients with mild-to-severe Cushing’s di...

Thymic carcinoma is a rare but aggressive cause of ectopic ACTH secretion, with fewer than 100 reported cases.Hypokalaemic alkalosis was found in a 38 year old woman who presented with a 2-week history of leg swelling, fatigue and dyspnoea. She was not obviously Cushingoid.ACTH-dependent Cushing's Syndrome was confirmed biochemically: urinary free cortisol (UFC) >8500nmol/day and serum cortisol 4060nmol/l, (no suppression on 8...