Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: A teratoma is a rare type of tumor deriving from the germ layer cells (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm), typically benign, more frequent in infants. Adult onset teratomas are most commonly gonadal cell tumors. Extra--gonadal teratomas generally affect the midline, most frequently anterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, pineal and suprasellar area. Head and neck teratomas are an extremely rare entity and represent only 0.47–6% of all cases.<p class="abste...

Introduction: It is universally accepted that calcitonin (CT), a hormone secreted by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid, is a specific, sensitive and early marker of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (CMT), with higher diagnostic accuracy than fine needle aspiration biopsy(FNAB). However, the routine measurement of serum CT during assessment of nodular thyroid disease (NTD) remains controversial due to rarity of this cancer and possible false positive results.<p class="abst...

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is characterized by the triad – ketonemia, metabolic acidosis and hyperglycemia. It is typically associated with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) and the most common culprits are infections and poor therapeutic compliance.Clinical Case DescriptionThe present case deals with a 25–year–old female patient, with T1D diagnosed in 2008, without microvascular or macrovascular compl...

Introduction: Grave´s disease (GD) is the most prevalent cause of hyperthyroidism, leading to inflammation of the thyroid gland and sometimes to an enlargement of the nearest lymph nodes caused by that same inflammatory process. Peripheral lymphadenopathy of doubtful cause presents a diagnostic dilemma. There are many potential causes: biopsy is sometimes the best way to reach a definitive diagnosis. Tuberculous adenitis is usually regional and mainly affects nodes of the...

Background: The number of studies on the incidence of pituitary adenomas (PAs) is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the annual incidence of PAs in Västra Götaland, Sweden, with a targeted population of 1.6 million inhabitants.Patients and methods: Data from adult patients diagnosed with PA in 2001–2011, living in the Västra Götaland County, were collected from the Swedish Pituitary Registry (SPR). In addition, medica...

Introduction: Factors determining remission and relapse in children with thyrotoxicosis include ethnicity, age and thyroid hormone levels at diagnosis. We investigated if similar factors influence remission and relapse in a contemporary cohort of children with autoimmune thyrotoxicosis treated by dose titration of carbimazole.Methods: Forty-seven children (39 females) with thyrotoxicosis, treated with carbimazole, were followed up for ≥2 years. Ini...

Background: A key element of the transition process is encouraging young people (YP) to become more independent in their healthcare. However it is not known what skills YP feel they need before being ready for transfer to adult services.Method: A simple questionnaire was designed for YP to rate out of 5 A. their current status in terms of 5 aspects of independence in healthcare (5 “yes, I do it all of the time” to 1 “no, my family does it ...

Hydroxysteroid (17-β) dehydrogenase enzymes (HSD17Bs) have an important role in sex steroid hormone metabolism. They are known to catalyze reactions between highly active 17β-hydroxy steroids and less active 17-keto steroids. In addition to sex steroid metabolism, it is becoming evident that HSD17Bs have functions in other pathways as well, e.g. lipid and bile acid metabolism. HSD17B type 7 enzyme is known to catalyze in vitro the activation of estrone (E1) to...

Background: Obese young people are likely to suffer significant morbidity in adult life. Successful intervention during adolescence may have far-reaching benefits. Evidence is emerging that patient-responsive clinical services may deliver improved outcomes.Aims: To assess the perceptions of obese young people about weight and weight-management services.Method: Annonymised, postal questionnaire survey of 116 obese young people (9&#1...

Introduction: Resistance to thyroid hormone (TH) can be caused by a failure of TH to enter the cell, or by a lack of action of intracellular TH.Cases: Patient A, a 60-year-old man, presented with an elevated TSH (15.8 mU/l (reference range: 0.4–4.3 mU/l)), an elevated FT4 (29.5 pmol/l (11–25 pmol/l)), and a normal T3. Reverse T3 (rT3), the inactive metabolite of T4, was clearly elevated (0.82 nmol/l (0.14–0.34 nmol/l)). His medical history...