Endocrine Abstracts

TRAB antibody is specific for diagnosis of Grave’s disease. We have conducted an audit to on our practice on parameters which TRAB could influence.Method: TRAB (NR 0–1 IU/l) positive patients were identified from biochemistry laboratory form April 2003 to February 2004. Sixty case notes were randomly selected for reviewed. Data were analysed subsequently.Result: 46 cases (77%) were female. Mean age was 42, range 6 to 78 y...

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is an important growth factor, simulating the process of angiogenesis which is required for tumour progression. It mainly acts through 2 receptors VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2. Whilst the presence of VEGF has been shown in pituitary adenomas, no study has undertaken the quantification of the expression of VEGF121, VEGF165, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and whether their expression may correlate.METHODS. We have used the technique of quantitative RT-...

Aims: The majority of patients with Cushing's disease have pituitary microadenomas and preoperative localization can be helpful during transphenoidal surgery. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) of ACTH and responses to CRH may show higher levels on the side ipsilateral to the tumour, although this remains controversial. A few small studies suggested a prolactin response to CRH during IPSS. We assessed whether prolactin responses to CRH can help lateralize the microadenoma...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of untreated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) over 2 yrs in elderly patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. Controls were also followed for 2 yrs.SUBJECTS: 27 patients (>65 yrs) with GHD (mean) peak stimulated GH 1.6 mIU/l(range 0.6-5)were initially studied. Two yrs later 21(13 males) agreed to attend for reassessment. 27 controls (>65 y) were studied at baseline and 17 (7 males) agreed to attend for reassessmen...

Background: Image reconstruction is a key step for the accurate interpretation of positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Nuclear medicine phantoms play a critical role in this process. However, existing phantoms (based on simple geometric shapes) do not reflect the complexity of sellar/parasellar anatomy. We therefore created a novel pituitary phantom and examined the impact of image optimisation on the detection of microadenomas, using 11C-methionine PET s...

Background: Pituitary apoplexy is a relatively rare but important clinical syndrome which may be associated with acute headache, visual compromise and hypopituitarism. It can be the initial presentation of a previously unsuspected pituitary macroadenoma. Recognised risk factors include hypertension and the use of antiplatelet agents and/or anticoagulant therapy. It may be life-threatening, requiring emergency endocrine (e.g hydrocortisone) replacement therapy[1] and...

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...

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...

Approximately 40% of phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are associated with a germline mutation. These individuals have a lifetime tumour risk and in the case of SDHx germline mutations, there is a risk of multiple tumours and malignancy. We sought to discover plasma metabolites associated with succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) deficiency and tumorigenesis for potential use as predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers. Plasma samples were collected prospectively from a cli...

The localization of biochemically proven insulinoma remains a challenge despite the advent of more sensitive methods for radiological detection. We report a case with conflicting cross-sectional, angiographic and scintigraphic findings, in which selective angiography combined with intra-arterial calcium stimulation and hepatic venous sampling (ASVS) proved to be the most accurate localizing investigation.A 17-year-old female with cerebral palsy and learn...