Endocrine Abstracts

Background /Methods: Adrenal incidentalomas pose a significant burden to endocrinology services in assessing the clinical significance of these lesions. Following vetting of the incidentaloma referrals, the patients at our centre are initially seen in a nurse-led clinic for biochemical investigations and to ensure completion of radiology assessment using a structured proforma. This step facilitates efficient patient flow and quicker decision making. The clinical outcomes of th...

Regulators are concerned about the potential for environmental chemicals such as agrochemicals and their metabolites to perturb hormone systems. This has led to recommendations for the testing of potential endocrine disrupting chemicals1. The Steroidogenesis H295R assay is an in vitro cell model used to investigate compound effects on steroid hormone biosynthesis, specifically 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T). The human H295R adreno-carcinoma ce...

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis of both small and medium-sized vessels. Pituitary involvement in GPA is uncommon and few cases have been previously reported. Isolated pituitary involvement in GPA is rare and 96% of cases are associated with other organ involvement. GPA commonly affects the upper respiratory tract (93%), lungs (73%) and kidneys (67%).Case...

Over the past decade there has been increased recognition of the dangers associated with inpatient management of diabetes insipidus (DI) and omission of desmopressin. An NHS England patient safety alert was issued in 2016 highlighting this risk.Method: Using electronic prescribing records we reviewed all desmopressin prescriptions and omissions over a 12 month period in a large teaching hospital.Results: Ninety-seven inpatients wer...

Background & Aims: The aims of transsphenoidal surgery (restoration/preservation of vision and amelioration of hormonal excess) are balanced against the risk of inducing new post-operative pituitary deficits. This study aims to assess the rate of new anterior hormonal deficits following transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery in our centre and to assess whether the visibility of normal pituitary gland on pre-operative imaging predic...

Over the past decade there has been increased recognition of the dangers associated with inpatient management of diabetes insipidus (DI) and omission of desmopressin. An NHS England patient safety alert was issued in 2016 highlighting this risk.Method: Using electronic prescribing records we reviewed all desmopressin prescriptions and omissions over a 12 month period in a large teaching hospital.Results: Ninety-seven inpatients wer...

Background & Aims: The aims of transsphenoidal surgery (restoration/preservation of vision and amelioration of hormonal excess) are balanced against the risk of inducing new post-operative pituitary deficits. This study aims to assess the rate of new anterior hormonal deficits following transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery in our centre and to assess whether the visibility of normal pituitary gland on pre-operative imaging predic...

Background: Lifelong surveillance should be offered to people with hereditary phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), including asymptomatic carriers of pathogenic gene variants. Regular biochemical and radiological surveillance aims to improve disease detection and prognosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient appointments were cancelled or postponed. Departments continue to face large backlogs of work. Clinicians in the USA reported 15% PPGL patients missing at lea...

In Northern Ireland hypopaks (contains samples for glucose, lactate, hydroxybutyrate, insulin, growth hormone (GH), cortisol, amino acids, organic acids and acylcarnitines) are used to investigate hypoglycaemia in children. We aimed to assess the appropriateness of hypopak requests, to determine their usefulness in diagnosing endocrine and metabolic conditions and to determine if GH is helpful. Data for hypopaks received between 01 April 17 and 31 March 18 was analysed. Hypopa...

Introduction: When hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <2.6 mmol/l) is detected in a child a ‘Hypopak’ is sent, which tests for blood glucose, lactate, hydroxybutyrate, insulin, growth hormone, cortisol, amino acids, acylcarnitines, and urine organic acids. We aimed to determine whether samples were sent appropriately and completely, and whether a diagnosis ensued.Methods: All Hypopak samples received by the laboratory between 1/4/17 and 31/3/18 w...