Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Phaeochromocytomas (PHEO) are tumours of the chromaffin cells and are usually detected due to the typical symptom triad including headache, palpitations and sweating associated with persistent and/or paroxysmal blood hypertension. An increasing proportion of PHEO is incidentally discovered upon abdominal imaging.Objective: To analyse the clinical characteristics of the incidentally discovered phaeochromocytomas.Method...

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of androgen replacement therapy with oral or intramuscular (i.m.) testosterone undecanoate (T.U.) in male patients with central hypogonadism.Patients and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 40 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: 29 with pituitary tumors or craniopharyn-giomas, 11 with non-tumoral hypogonadism (median age 47 years, range 20–62), before and after androgen replacement therapy, with the ...

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare syndrome due to a clinically overt hemorrhagic infarction, described in 2–7% of pituitary adenomas. A subclinical usually asymptomatic pituitary hemorrhage and/or infarction may be detected on routine imaging or during histopathological examination in 25–28% of patients with pituitary adenomas.Aim: We compared the clinical features and evolution of 166 patients with subclinical pituitary apoplexy (SPA) and 46 patien...

Introduction: The current revised medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) guidelines don’t specify reference ranges of basal (bCT) or stimulated serum calcitonin (sCT) levels for the diagnosis of MTC. These are important for early diagnosis and correct management.Objective: We aimed to set gender specific thresholds for bCT and sCT for MTC diagnosis.Patients and methods: CT samples during calcium-stimulation test (2...

Introduction: Thyroid cancer incidence has registered an important increase in the last years. Anaplastic thyroid cancer represent a rare malignancy with an aggressive biological behavior and a high mortality rate.Case presentation: We present the case of a 69-years-old woman who addressed our department for endocrine evaluation in the context of a right latero-cervical lymph nodes, complaining of mixed dysphagia and dyspnea, that developed progressively...

IntroductionPheochromocytomas (PHEO) and paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the autonomic nervous system, originating from neural crest. Despite the same embryological origin, there are some differences between them.AimWe searched for differences in method of discovery, clinical and biochemical phenotype, of sporadic vs hereditary PHEO/PGL in a cohort of Flemish patients.<p class="abst...

IntroductionOver time, different substances and protocols have been used and tested for stimulating calcitonin (CT). Some of them proved to be useful in diagnosing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, these are associated with side-effects, with various duration, intensity and severity.ObjectiveTo report the side-effects observed during CT stimulation test with calcium (Ca) gluconate.<p class="abst...

IntroductionAnti-thyroid drugs (ATDs) are the first line treatment in Europe for hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease (GD). Adding levothyroxine to ATDs, so called block and replace therapy (BRT) is still controversial.AimTo follow up the outcomes after treating patients with Graves’ disease in a block and replace regimen.Patients & methodsA prospe...

New possible pathogenic variants involved in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomasIntroduction: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare tumors of the chromaffin tissues that store and release catecholamines in excess. Most pheochromocytomas are sporadic, usually resulting in unilateral adrenal tumor, but 25–45% harbour a germline mutation.Aim: To describe new possible pathogenic variants (VUS) involved in PPGLs.</...

Introduction: Zinc homeostasis is involved in numerous physiological and pathological conditions, ranging from type 1 and type 2 diabetes to memory impairment and cancer, and is determined by at least 28 genes, including 24 SLC (Solute Carrier) family members and 4 MTs (Metallothioneins). To explore the potential role of zinc homeostasis in MetS (metabolic syndrome) and IR (insulin resistance), we investigated 28...