Endocrine Abstracts

Maintenance of serum sodium and water balance is a key feature of normal physiology; mediated through the regulation of water intake and renal water loss. Adipsic and hypodipsic disorders are characterized by inadequate spontaneous fluid intake due to defects in osmo-regulated thirst. Patients deny thirst and do not drink, despite dehydration and hypovolaemia. The hypothalamic osmoregulation of thirst and Vasopressin (AVP) production are functionally linked, though anatomicall...

Diabetes Insipidus (DI) results from a relative or absolute deficiency in either the production or action of the posterior pituitary hormone Vasopressin (AVP), the principle endocrine regulator of renal water excretion. The challenges in DI encompass its diagnosis, its treatment and in managing the co-morbidities and complications of the condition. This presentation will cover all these elements, highlighting cases that illustrate some of the key principles in the clinical app...

One of the success stories of modern medicine is the high cure rate of common childhood cancers. After an early period of denial, the existence of longterm complications, predominantly treatment-related, is acknowledged. By 2010 one in 250 of the adult population was a longterm survivor of childhood cancer. In 2014 420,000 childhood cancer survivors were estimated in the USA alone. Subsequently Moustoufi-Moab et al. (2016) reviewed 14,000 survivors of childhood cancer...

By 2010 one in 250 of the adult population was a long-term survivor of childhood cancer (CC). In 2014 there were an estimated 420,000 CC survivors in the USA alone(Robison et al. 2014). In a follow-up study of 14,000 aging survivors of CC (Mostoufi-Moab et al 2016), in whom the median age at cancer diagnosis was 6 years and at the last Follow-up 32 years, 44% had a least one endocrinopathy,16.7% had at least 2 endocrinopathies and 6.6% had 3 or more endocrino...

Hyponatraemia is common, present in some 15–20% of non-selected acute hospital admissions in the UK. Hyponatraemia is associated with increased mortality and morbidity across a range of medical problems; emphasising its importance. Despite these factors, the management of patients with hyponatraemia remains challenging. Early recognition of life threatening hyponatraemia (where action is required quickly) is critical. This situation is rare and requires a...

Ectopic ACTH syndrome accounts for approximately 20% of all cases of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. The most common causes are oat cell carcinomas, bronchial and foregut carcinoid tumors, pancreatic islet cell tumors and pheochromocytomas. Rarely, ectopic CRH-secretion occurs by peripheral tumors, especially carcinoids. Whereas the screening for hypercortisolism followed by analysis of ACTH is well established, the distinction between pituitary adenomas and ectopic so...

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The endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal system are scattered amongst the mucosal cells and respond to luminal influences via projecting microvilli. They also respond to a rich neural supply through the submucous plexus. These two influences, luminal nutriments and local innervation, compete with control by circulating hormones and also nutriment concentrations. The gut endocrine cells are widely scattered down the mucosa (diffuse endocrine system) and their response is pro...

Fertility problems in women with PCOS are by no means inevitable. Indeed women who have symptoms of PCOS have at least one child just as often as those who do not have PCOS. But there is no doubt that women with PCOS who have oligo- or amenorrhoea are likely to require induction of ovulation and, in these circumstances, the sooner they seek the appropriate treatment for induction of ovulation, the better the chances of a timely pregnancy....

Endocrinology is a discipline that has always attracted doctors with inquisitive minds. There is much that is still to be learned about the causes of endocrine diseases and how to best prevent and treat them. Whether your principal goal is to be a basic scientist, a clinical scientist and educator or a practitioner, there are numerous ways that you can contribute to the advancement of your discipline through leading or participating in research. In this talk I will discuss the...