Endocrine Abstracts

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is an uncommon complication of thyrotoxicosis especially in Caucasian women. It is most frequent in east asian and Japanese males and is characterized by recurrent episodes of motor weekness of variable intensity associated with hyperthyroidism. It is usually associated with low plasma potassium levels and is often precipitated by physical activity. This condition is a self limiting disorder that is cured by the treatment of the underlying hypert...

Thyroid dysplasia (ectopy, hypoplasia or aplasia) is a common cause of congenital hypothyroidism. Lingual thyroid is a rare embryological aberration caused by failure of migration of the thyroid gland to its normal position in the neck.This retrospective study involved 30 patients with lingual thyroid diagnosed in our Department between 1970–2005. The diagnosis was based on physical examination, evaluation of the mental development (IQ) and following tests:TSH, fT4, ultra...

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an inherited disorder characterized by formation of neurofibromas in the skin, brain and other parts of the body, in association with skin pigment changes. It is well known that this condition may be a risk factor for short stature with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children, due to suprasellar lesions. We present the case report of a 9-year-old boy admitted in our Service for short stature (-2DS). Physical examination revealed ‘caf&...

Prader-Willi is a complex genetic syndrome with characteristic phenotype, obesity, hyperphagia, and endocrine hypothalamic dysfunctions. We present particular features of a case with confirmed Prader Willi syndrome (PWS).Case report: EP, only child of a young non-consanguine couple, was born in 1994 at 34 weeks of amenorrhoea, with a low Apgar score (7) and a weight of 2200 g. She presented important hypotonia in the first 6 weeks of life, needing gavage...

Hormonal treatment (HT) represents the only complete therapy of the consequences of the postmenopausal estrogenic deficiency. Quality of life in postmenopausal women is often compromised. We evaluated the quality of life (appreciated with IQL questionnaire) in 80 postmenopausal women – 40 with intact uterus, treated with natural estrogens associated with progestin, and 40 non-treated women. Group selection (treated/not treated) was made function of the inform consent of t...

Introduction: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are rare, with an incidence of 1/100,000/year. Chromogranin A (CgA) is the most valuable marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of PNET. One of the disadvantages is its low specificity and the existence of a number of processes leading to an increase in its concentration, which often results in confusion and diagnostic difficulties.Case report: We present a 44-years-old female patient...

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is frequently associated with primary hyperparathyroidism, but the impact of this association on disease evolution and complications is ill defined. Aims: to assess the role of vitamin D status on the metabolic profile and spectrum of complications at patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.Materials and methods: Transversal study involving 42 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism submitted to parathyroidectomy. We ...

Background: D hypovitaminosis and primary hyperparathyroidism frequently coexist. Secondary hyperparathyroidism reactive to D hypovitaminosis is difficult to be differentiated from primary hyperparthyroidism.Aims: To differentiate patients with D hypovitaminosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism.Materials and methods: Prospective study involving 71 patients admitted in our department for 1 year with the initial diagnosis of primary...

Introduction: Epidemiological and clinical studies have proven direct correlations between chronic stress, inflammation and cancer progression. The inflammatory environment preexisting the malignant change and elevated IGF-1 levels are associated with higher cancer risk, especially through GH effects on cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis.Aim: To evaluate the relationship between biological and hormonal stress markers, growth factors and breas...

Introduction: Obesity and insulin resistance have been identified as risk factors for breast cancer and are associated with late-stage diagnosis and poor prognosis. Ghrelin is a unique gut-derived peptide that has major impact in energy homeostasis and weight regulation, with new emerging implications in tumorigenesis process, especially in hormone-dependent cancers.Aim: To evaluate the relationship between ghrelin, clinico-biological parameters of obesi...