Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To identify a range of IGF-I values representative of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), which could be utilised to reduce the risk of 'functional' GHD in Pegvisomant treated acromegaly.Method: We analysed centrally measured IGF-I data from the KIMS European GHD database. We stratified this cohort into six gender based, age ranges and assessed IGF-I and IGF-I standard deviation scores (SDS).Results: Baseline measurements f...

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Case report: Central neurocytomas are well-differentiated rare central nervous system tumours. These tumours when identified in brain parenchyma or spinal cord are termed as extra ventricular neurocytomas. We report a case of 40 year old lady with mild hypertension who presented with long standing history of intermittent headaches which got worse 2 months before presentation, mainly affecting her forehead and left retro-orbital region. She also noted blurring of vision in her ...

Section: Case history: 73-year old gentleman referred from GP with a two month history of worsening dizziness, malaise, postural hypotension and general deterioration and spiking pyrexia ranging 38-40°C over 3 weeks. PMH of NSCLC T2b N0- left lower lobectomy & chemotherapy 3 years prior.Section: Investigations and treatment: At re-presentation his CT TAP showed bilateral bulky adrenal glands but no other abnormality. The patient’s bloods sh...

Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) is not only essential for the maintenance of early equine pregnancy but is also used therapeutically for synchronisation of farm and laboratory animals. Currently it is extracted from serum of farmed pregnant mares. We have recently reported that under normoxic conditions, BMP4 treatment of equine trophoblast resulted in a dose, and developmental stage-dependent increase in total number of differentiated binucleate cells that secrete eCG. O...

Background: The majority of thyroid nodules are clinically insignificant, however considerable overlap in radiological characteristics exists for benign and malignant lesions. Recently, validated radiological criteria using thyroid imaging reporting and data system scoring (TIRADS) have shown correlation between cumulative suspicious features and risk of malignancy1.Objective: To assess sensitivity, specificity and reliability of ultrasound sc...

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is an endogenous glycoprotein inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) ligands such as activin. TGFβ ligands are integral to key cellular processes such as proliferation, development and differentiation, including angiogenesis. It is not clear, however, how FSTL3 and activin action affect tissue and organ functions in health and disease. We have identified a group of activin-responsive genes that have an expression pattern clos...

A 43-year-old woman presented acutely with Graves disease and hyperthyroidism. She had thyroid eye disease and a large diffuse goitre with pressure symptoms. She reported hearing a bruit herself without a stethoscope. She was tachycardic, with capillary nail fold pulsation and a positive Pemberton’s sign. Initial T4 was 78.6, TSH not detected.Betablockers to control the patients tachycardia were contraindicated due to a history of asthma,...

Background: Hyperadrogenemia is one of the most commonly encountered endocrine disorders in reproductive-aged women. By far the most common causes of androgen excess are functional which account for more than 90% of cases. Androgen and ovarian tumours producing excess androgen are however very rare and only account for about 0.2% of cases.Case history: A 62-year-old lady admitted to hospital with pneumonia was found to have an ill defined, firm, non-tend...

Introduction: Pituitary tumors account for 15% of all intracranial neoplasms and could remain asymptomatic for a significant period. We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess pattern of referrals and management of non-functioning pituitary adenomas at our tertiary referral centre.Methods: Data was collected on referrals for NFA received at our university hospital from 2005 to 2008. Medical records, radiology reports and endocrine department data we...