Endocrine Abstracts

Background and case: A 38-year-old man presented acutely with left-sided retro-orbital pain, a heavy/numb sensation in his left arm and blurred vision and diplopia on left lateral gaze. Baseline biochemistry, liver function and haematology were normal. His TSH was 3.9 (0.3–4 mU/l) and CRP 92 mg/l (<10). Plain CT head was unremarkable as was the MRI as reported, and atypical migraine was suspected. Vertical diplopia on left lateral gaze and left upper arm paraesthesia ...

For a long time it has been suggested that glucocorticoids (GC) mediate their effects solely on the genomic level. A number of studies reported an existence of rapid GC effects independent on gene expression. These effects may play an important role in stress response or during acute GC therapy. As far as we know, rapid inhibitory GC effects on glucose-induced secretion of insulin have been reported only in animals (1). The aim of our study was to evaluate effects of GC on ear...

The development and maturation of kisspeptin neurons is critical for activating GnRH release needed to initiate puberty. However, little is known of the development and organization of kisspeptin neurons in the human hypothalamus and the anatomical architecture of kisspeptin neurons in rodents is distinct from that of primates.The aim of the present study was to examine the development of the hypothalamic neuroendocrine circuitry that sets the structural...

Background: Contrast procedures are frequently performed in diabetic patients and are the third most common cause of hospital-acquired renal failure1. Diabetic patients are at risk of Metformin associated lactic acidosis in the presence of renal failure2.Standards: RCR guidelines3 recommend:• Recent serum creatinine should be available for patients with renal disease or diabetes<p class="ab...

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early marker of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which predicts the development of later stages of nephropathy. Thiazolidinediones are a class of oral hypoglycaemic drugs used in diabetes glycaemic management that act through PPARγ receptors. Studies have suggested they significantly reduce urinary albumin excretion; however, most trials were small. We therefore performed a systematic review to clarify the effectiv...

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...

Context: Respiratory failure as a component of severe hypothyroidism has high mortality and a number of pathological mechanisms have been proposed. These range from cerebral causes to neuromuscualr and pulmonary factors. Changes due to mucopolysacharide deposition in the lungs is another postulated mechanism, but radiological changes are hitherto not clinically demonstrated.Objective: A case of hypothyroidism with hypoxia associated with CT features sugg...

Case report: A 40-year-old lady was diagnosed with acromegaly in 1993 after presentation with clinical symptoms. Imaging showed a 1 cm pituitary lesion and she underwent transphenoidal hypophysectomy in 1993. Post-operatively she was rendered hypopituitary, but still had biochemical evidence of active acromegaly. She proceeded to external beam radiotherapy and was started on bromocriptine medical therapy.On routine review in 2006, her acromegaly was bioc...

Introduction: The obesity epidemic is growing at an alarming rate. The body volume index (BVI) scanner is a novel machine that produces a true scale 3D body image of the whole body within 6 s and may have a role in the management of obesity.Method: In a pilot study, we set out to assess the impact of BVI scanning on weight loss during a standard weight loss programme in overweight subjects. Forty-three subjects were given standard dietary and lifestyle a...

Primary hyperaldosteronism is now recognised as the most frequent underlying cause of hypertension. We recruited 94 patients (age (mean±S.D.) 56±11 years) with hypertension from primary care in order to study the role of corticosteroid hormone action in this cohort. Random, blood pressure (BP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (Aldo) was measured both on and off antihypertensive medication. In addition, a 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP)...