Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Anomalies of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance are common in patients with hypothyroidism. Some studies suggests that euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) may also be associated with changes of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The role of thyroid hormones resistance in this context is still uncertain.Aim: To evaluate the relationship between thyroid hormones resistance, insulin resistance and lipid profile in euthyroid p...

Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare cause of Cushing’s syndrome (CS). It is a highly heterogeneous disease with multiple adrenal macronodules and variable levels of cortisol excess. The pathogenesis is complex and different mechanisms such as aberrant hormone receptors, local production of ACTH in adrenal tissues and genetic mutations have been identified. The approach is not well established. Nine patients with PBMAH who are currently fol...

Introduction: Black adrenal adenomas are rare and benign. They are named after their black appearance, due to lipofuscin pigment. Most frequently black adenomas are associated with ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome. They can also cause primary hyperaldosteronism or be nonfunctioning. Unlike most other adrenal adenomas, black adenomas exhibit high Hounsfield units (>30) on CT, and high standard uptake value on FDG-PET.Case presentation: A 67-ye...

Introduction: In patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing Syndrome, differentiating between pituitary and ectopic sources can be challenging. Noninvasive testing can be performed, but bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) remains the gold standard. In the last years however, novel imaging modalities, namely 3T-MRI with 3-dimensional spoiled gradient-echo sequence and 68Ga-tagged CRH combined with positron emission tomography, have been proposed as alternatives.<p ...

Introduction: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk of developing metabolic disorders, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and hypertension; which may also be associated with hypercortisolism. Due to the similarity between the metabolic changes present in these two clinical situations, several studies have evaluated whether HIV-infected patients have increased levels of cortisol, but the results are not consensual. ...

Introduction: Pheochromocytoma is one of the major secondary causes of hypertension. The classic triad of pheochromocytoma symptoms of headache, sweating and tachycardia is not present in a high percentage of patients and is sometimes diagnosed as incidentaloma or atypical presentations.Case report: The authors present a 56-year-old man, with no known diseases, referred to Endocrinology evaluation by incidentaloma of the right adrenal gland, from the Pne...

Introduction: Secondary causes of diabetes refer to a category in which diabetes is associated with other diseases. They are thought to constitute less than 2% of the total cases of diabetes.Case report: A 56 year-old caucasian man, with no relevant medical history, presented to the Emergency Department with fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and involuntary weight loss (6 kg in two weeks). He was hemodynamically stable and exhibited a glycaemia o...

Introduction: In chronic diseases a good psychological and behavioral adaptation is essential. Concerning diabetes the Insulin Delivery System (IDS) adopted tend to be an important factor of adaptation, global satisfaction and, above all, quality of life (QoL).Objectives: To analyze the QoL and IDS satisfaction and its relationship with psychopathological symptomatology in patients on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy.<p class="...

Introduction: Combined central diabetes insipidus (DI) and cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSW) is a rare clinical finding. However, when this happens, mortality is high due to delayed diagnosis and/or inadequate treatment.Case report: 42-year-old man referred to neurosurgery due to a non functional pituitary macroadenoma with bitemporal hemianopsia. He underwent partial ressection of the tumour on July 2nd 2015. On the following day of surgery he presen...

Introduction: In diabetes insipidus (DI) the serum sodium is often in the high normal range, required to provide the ongoing stimulation of thirst to replace the urinary losses. Marked hypernatremia can occur if a central lesion impairs both ADH release and thirst.Case report: A 57-year-old woman presented with dysuria, polyuria and fever. She was medicated with ciprofloxacin, however, she maintained symptoms, accompanied in the next day by nausea, vomit...