Endocrine Abstracts

Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte abnormality following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Retrospective data suggests that the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (SIAD) is the most common cause, although glucocorticoid deficiency and rarely cerebral salt wasting may also cause hyponatraemia.We prospectively studied 100 patients (61% female, median age 53 (range 16–82)) with non-traumatic aneurysmal SAH. Each patient had plasma sodium (p...

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism is not an uncommon disease with incidence of ~25–30 cases per 100 000 people, whether caused by adenoma or hyperplasia, can be cured surgically with a high rate of success. Over past decade minimally invasive surgery has become mainstay of treatment compared to traditional bilateral exploration approach. Accurate preoperative localisation of parathyroid disease is absolutely imperative for effective minimally invasive surgery....

Background: Effective acclimatization to high altitude involves a natriuresis and diuresis facilitated by a suppressed aldosterone. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is common but poorly understood. A cardiac hormone, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), is released primarily in response to cardiomyocyte stretch but animal models suggest BNP secretion is also stimulated by acute hypoxia. An increase in BNP causes a diuresis, natriuresis and a reduction in aldosterone. We hypothesized ...

Introduction: The Nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD) is an X-linked condition characterised by reduced renal water clearance and hyponatraemia resulting from gain of function mutations in the type 2 Vasopressin (AVP) receptor (AVPR2). Female carriers were thought not to express a phenotype. We describe a kindred with NSIAD, highlighting molecular and physiological characteristics that extend understanding of this condition and of AVP production.<p c...

Introduction: The Nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD) is an X-linked condition characterised by reduced renal water clearance and hyponatraemia resulting from gain of function mutations in the type 2 Vasopressin (AVP) receptor (AVPR2). Female carriers were thought not to express a phenotype. We describe a kindred with NSIAD, highlighting molecular and physiological characteristics that extend understanding of this condition and of AVP production.<p c...

Conventional intramuscular preparations of testosterone esters are associated with wide fluctuations in serum testosterone (T) levels following administration, even when a lower dose (100 mg) is injected every 7–10 days, let alone 250 mg every 2–3 weeks. Depot Testosterone undecanoate [TU -Nebido] is a newly available option for androgen replacement. The possibility of achieving stable therapeutic serum T levels over a period of months is its principal attraction. Da...

IntroductionTrue resistance to cabergoline in patients with hyperprolactinaemia has only rarely been reported. We describe a patient with macroprolactinoma who initially responded to cabergoline, but then developed a progressive increase in PRL levels.Clinical caseA 78-year-old male presenting with headache and left temporal hemianopia was found to have a macroprolactinoma with suprasellar/cavernous sinus ext...

Phaeochromocytomas (PCC) are rare neuroendocrine tumours of chromaffin cells that are characterised by autonomous production of catecholamines. Fundamental to the detection and diagnosis is the biochemical confirmation of excessive catecholamine production by the measurement of plasma or urinary catecholamines and metanephrines. Recently, plasma metanephrines have been shown to provide a high diagnostic sensitivity for the detection of catecholamine secreting tumours and unlik...

INTRODUCTION: Hyperprolactinaemia frequently causes secondary hypogonadism through central suppression of gonadotropin secretion. Macroprolactinomas (>1cm diameter) may additionally cause more generalised hypopituitarism; a recent series finding the prevalence of TSH and ACTH deficiencies to be 35% and 9%, respectively. Recovery of the thyrotropic and/or corticotropic axes is well described following surgery to pituitary tumours, but remains poorly defined in relation to me...

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is common at high altitude (HA) and is associated with a relative failure of the natriuresis and diuresis that occurs at HA. The role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in this context has not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to clarify if BNP rises in response to exercise at HA and if so whether this is related to markers of acclimatization. Thirty-two healthy subjects had assessments of BNP, aldosterone and markers of HA acclimatization (a...