Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is followed by a decrease in the severity of symptoms reported on the Pasieka’s parathyroid symptoms score (PPSS) questionnaires and such changes correlate with improved quality of life assessed by the SF36 questionnaire (World J Surg 2008 32 807). Some argue that these benefits are short-lived and only apparent in the first months postoperatively.Aim: To determine wh...

Background: Mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is frequently diagnosed in patients with minimal hypercalcaemia whose symptoms might remain sub-clinical or even be absent. In contrast, series of patients with severe PHPT report multiple end-organ failures including suppressed haematopoiesis (Horm Metab Res 1997; 29: 387) and marrow fibrosis (Clin Endo 2009; 70 :527).Aim: To determine the effect of parathyroidectomy on haem...

Limited survival of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) makes it imperative to understand the genetic basis of disease and support development of new therapies.Between 2010–2015, tissues from nine adrenalectomy patients (5M:4F, age 30–68 years) were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and DNA extracted. Adjacent normal adrenal tissue (n=3) excised at adrenalectomy was collected as matched ‘normal’ controls. Whole-exome se...

Background: Several new gene mutations have been reported in recent years to be associated with a risk of familial phaeochromocytomas (PHAEOs). However, it is unclear as to whether extensive genetic testing is required in all patients (pts).Methods: Clinical data of consecutive patients operated for PHAEO over a decade in a tertiary referral centre were reviewed. Genetic screening was performed using a ten-gene panel: RET, VHL, SDHB, SDHD, SDHA, SDHC, SD...

Background: The presence of striking cardiovascular manifestations was noted in the first descriptions of hyperthyroidism owing to Parry (1825) and Basedow (1840) in the famous Merseburger triad. Hyperthyroidism may either cause cardiac complication in individuals with a normal myocardium (genuine form of disorder) or complicate pre-existing cardiac troubles.Patients and methods: An homogenous series of 49 cardiothyreosis, 11 males and 38 females, aged 1...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disease expected to be curable in 95% of patients undergoing surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative course of patients with failed surgical treatment.Methods: Prospective database recorded clinical, biochemical, radiological, operative and pathological details of patients operated in a large tertiary referral centre.Results: Betw...

Background: Phaeochromocytomas (PHAEO) and paragangliomas (PGGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumours. The traditional ‘10%’ teaching mnemonic has recently been challenged.Methods: Clinical and biochemical/pathological data were collected prospectively. A 24-h urine sample for metanephrine assay was used for postoperative biochemical follow-up.Results: Between ‘Jan 89 and June 10’ 110 patients were operated for PHAEO...

Background: Primary hyperaldosteronism is allegedly present in 10% of hypertensive patients. Conn’s syndrome is present in a third of such patients and adrenalectomy has the potential to cure/improve the control of hypertension. This study assesses the benefits/costs of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) in a cohort of consecutive patients with Conn’s syndrome operated in a tertiary referral centre.Methods: Clinical, radiological, operative and pa...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is commonly diagnosed after the fifth decade of life. Current guidelines suggest that young patients with apparently sporadic PHPT should be screened as potential index cases for the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndrome.Aim: To determine the prevalence of mutations in the MEN1 gene in young patients presenting with apparently sporadic PHPT before the age of 40 years.Met...

Background: Arguably patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancers (PTC) are more likely to have negative radioactive iodine uptake and low/undetectable thyroglobulin levels if the central compartment lymph node dissection (CCLND) is performed routinely irrespective of the macroscopic appearance of the LN. The aim of this study was to determine whether routine CCLND leads to more favourable outcome in the first year after treatment for well-differentiat...