Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Advances in the understanding of the natural history and genetics of phaechromocytomas and paragangliomas have altered the demographics of these conditions resulting in much higher rates of malignancy and association with known genetic abnormalities.Objective: To analyse the clinical and biochemical features of hereditary (H) and sporadic (S) phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas.Design: Retrospective case-series at G...

Background: Treatment of choice of ACTH producing pituitary adenoma is transsphenoidal resection. Owing to difficult visual demarcation of the adenoma, peroperative feedback about the completeness of the resection would be desirable. We investigated if rapid per-operative ACTH measurements is useful in surgical strategy.Methods: Thirteen patients with pituitary adenomas were operated. An modified ACTH-assay delivered results within 30 min. Catheters were...

In line with European guidelines, infant formulas in France have been vitamin D-fortified with a vitamin D3 content of ~400 IU/l. New guidelines for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency and rickets have subsequently been published and the vitamin D supplement for formula-fed infants was reduced from 800 to 400 IU per day.To contribute to the evaluation of the need for vitamin D supplementation, a study was conducted to assess vitamin D3 intake (choleca...

A 56-year-old gentleman diagnosed with galactosemia by open liver biopsy at the age of one was referred by GP with longstanding complaints of increasing lethargy, low mood and chronic anaemia. Initial investigations revealed normocytic anemia with a normal renal function, ESR, haematinics, calcium and myeloma screen. Endocrine tests revealed anterior hypopituitarism (TSH: 4.4, FreeT4: 4.5, LH: 0.5, FSH: 2, testosterone: <0.1, prolactin: 27, IgF-1: <3.3, random cortisol...

VHL is an autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome with renal, CNS and pancreato-biliary manifestations in addition to phaeochromocytoma (PC)/paraganglioma (PGL). Importantly, there is a partial genotype–phenotype correlation, with kindreds harboring deletions and mutations of the VHL gene leading to premature termination/truncation not manifesting PC/PGL. As genetic testing in PC/PGL moves from a research-focus into clinical service, knowledge and understanding...

Inguinal subcutaneous fat, the site of murine mammary glands 4 and 5, is a suitable model of mammary white fat adipose tissue (WAT). WAT requires extracellular Ca2+ influx for differentiation and expansion; this primarily occurs via plasma membrane Ca2+ voltage-dependent channels (CaVs). Whereas the neuropeptide oxytocin can mobilise intracellular Ca2+ in WAT which has key roles in lactation. Our aim was to use a combination of molecular biolog...

Non-functional pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are non-hormone secreting pituitary tumours while growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (GHPA) are active pituitary tumours causing acromegaly. Since immunotherapy is becoming the preferred therapeutic strategy in cancers, understanding the diversity of immune cells infiltrating the tumour microenvironment is warranted. However, little is known about the immune landscape of pituitary tumours. We validated an acoustic-assisted hydr...

Background: Hyponatremia is the commonest electrolyte abnormality encountered in clinical practice. It is associated with increased mortality and prolonged length of stay. Errors in establishing the aetiology of hyponatremia can lead to inappropriate treatment with adverse outcomes. An accurate diagnosis requires a careful clinical and biochemical assessment. An audit was undertaken to determine current practice at University Hospitals Bristol.Method: A ...

Introduction: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a devastating disease with median survival between 1.2 and 10 months. The disease accounts for as little as 0.9–1.6% of total thyroid cancer cases, but may account for up to half of all thyroid cancer mortality. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prognostic factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer in Ireland and review emerging treatments for this disease.Methods and de...

Introduction: Medullary thyroid cancer arises from the calcitonin-secreting parafollicular C cells and consists of a spectrum of disease that ranges from extremely indolent tumours, where patients may survive for many years with a large tumor burden, to aggressive types associated with a high mortality rate. The objective of our study is to evaluate the prognostic factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in a homogenous population, and to examin...