Endocrine Abstracts

Several studies suggest that mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) are increased in patients with hypopituitarism. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence of known diabetes, treated hypertension and dyslipidemia, known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), in a large population (n:250) of patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. We then prospectively screened 90 such patients for the following CVD risk factors: obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking...

A 53 year old woman developed a firm thyroid mass which was removed. The histology of the thyroid mass showed auto-immune thyroiditis and Langerhans cell Histiocytosis ( LCH). She also complained of thirst and polyuria. A water deprivation test confirmed cranial diabetes inspidus (CDI) ,the symptoms of which resolved on DDAVP . A glucagon stimulation test showed a blunted growth hormone (GH) response of 13.3 milliU per litre with an IGF-1 level of 16 nanomol per litre. The cor...

Background: Weight gain is underrecognised in patients with hypothalamic damage and the prevalence and mechanisms are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to define the diagnoses and endocrine characteristics associated with weight gain.Subjects and methods: A retrospective study of 48 patients (25 female) mean (SD) age 45.3yrs (9.8).They included 22 patients with primary hypothalamic lesions (craniopharyngiomas, Rathke's cysts and other tumours)[g...

Background & Aims: An increased prevalence of obesity among patients with prolactinoma (PR) and weight loss after treatment (specially in male patients) has been reported1,2. On the other hand, weight gain after treatment has been observed in another study3. In this study we looked at the evolution of body weight in 37 patients with PR, 22 macroprolactinomas (MAPR) and 15 microprolactinomas (MIPR).Methods: We conducted a retrospective s...

Introduction: Hyperprolactinaemia, amenorrhoea with ophthalmoplegia and radiological abnormalities in suprasellar region usually suggest a pituitary tumour. We present a case of carotico-cavernous sinus fistula causing pituitary engorgement (CCF) mimicking pituitary tumour.Case history: 45 year old female with background history of long term amenorrhea, migraine admitted under Neurology with worsening headache, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. There ...

Thyrotoxicosis is one of the most common clinical problems in patients referred to endocrine clinic. TRAb is specific for graves disease (GD) and radioisotope scan (RIS) is useful diagnostic test in the investigation of thyrotoxicosis. RIS is commonly used when TRAb is borderline or negative to exclude thyroiditis.Aims and methods: To look at the use of RIS in the investigation of thyrotoxicosis and sub-clinical hyperthyroidism (SCH), and use of anti-thy...

Background: Obesity is a common sequel to tumours of the hypothalamic region and their treatment. Weight gain occurs at a rate faster than any expected age-related increase and despite treated hormone deficiencies.Methods: Retrospective review of patients with hypothalamic-pituitary tumours attending a large neuroendocrine clinic in UK.Results: Initial review in 2002 had identified 42 adults with tumours causing hypothalamic damage...

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can rarely be associated with underlying endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism or with administration of thyroxin or growth hormone. We describe a case of acute adrenal deficiency presented along with IIH.Case history: A 24-year-old Caucasian female (body mass index 21 kg/m2) presented with nausea, vomiting and collapse. She had several months of generalised ...

The multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) clinic at our hospital was established in 2002 with the aim of providing integrated, comprehensive and expert regional care to patients with MEN syndrome. The clinical team consists of an adult endocrinologist, a paediatric endocrinologist, a clinical geneticist and an endocrine surgeon.In 2002, 16 patients with MEN type 1 from five different kindred were seen. These patients had previously been attending a combinat...

Objectives: Prolactinomas can extend out of the sella turcica and invade surrounding structures and the brain. The prevalence and natural history of epilepsy at presentation of macroprolactinoma is not clear.Methods: The case records of 62 patients (34 male) with macroprolactinoma attending a neuroendocrine clinic were studied.Results: Four patients (6.5%, 3 males) had experienced epileptic seizures before the diagnosis of macropro...