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The Veterinary Clinics of North... Apr 2022Polyuria and polydipsia are rare, but significant, manifestations of several different diseases of horses. Causes can be endocrine, iatrogenic, psychogenic, infectious,... (Review)
Review
Polyuria and polydipsia are rare, but significant, manifestations of several different diseases of horses. Causes can be endocrine, iatrogenic, psychogenic, infectious, or toxic in nature and can also be due to primary renal disease or diseases of other organs, such as the liver. Although numerous causes of polyuria and polydipsia in horses exist, the most common conditions include chronic kidney disease, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, and psychogenic polydipsia with secondary polyuria. Additional testing is dictated by history, other clinical signs, and the results of blood work and/or urinalysis. Prognosis for horses with polyuria and/or polydipsia varies significantly based on the underlying cause.
Topics: Animals; Horse Diseases; Horses; Pituitary Diseases; Polydipsia; Polyuria; Urinalysis
PubMed: 35282965
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2021.11.007 -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2021Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a distinct developmental defect of the pituitary gland identified by magnetic resonance imaging and characterized by a... (Review)
Review
Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a distinct developmental defect of the pituitary gland identified by magnetic resonance imaging and characterized by a thin, interrupted, attenuated or absent pituitary stalk, hypoplasia or aplasia of the adenohypophysis, and an ectopic posterior pituitary. The precise etiology of PSIS still remains elusive or incompletely confirmed in most cases. Adverse perinatal events, including breech delivery and hypoxia, were initially proposed as the underlying mechanism affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Nevertheless, recent findings have uncovered a wide variety of PSIS-associated molecular defects in genes involved in pituitary development, holoprosencephaly (HPE), neural development, and other important cellular processes such as cilia function. The application of whole exome sequencing (WES) in relatively large cohorts has identified an expanded pool of potential candidate genes, mostly related to the Wnt, Notch, and sonic hedgehog signaling pathways that regulate pituitary growth and development during embryogenesis. Importantly, WES has revealed coexisting pathogenic variants in a significant number of patients; therefore, pointing to a multigenic origin and inheritance pattern of PSIS. The disorder is characterized by inter- and intrafamilial variability and incomplete or variable penetrance. Overall, PSIS is currently viewed as a mild form of an expanded HPE spectrum. The wide and complex clinical manifestations include evolving pituitary hormone deficiencies (with variable timing of onset and progression) and extrapituitary malformations. Severe and life-threatening symptomatology is observed in a subset of patients with complete pituitary hormone deficiency during the neonatal period. Nevertheless, most patients are referred later in childhood for growth retardation. Prompt and appropriate hormone substitution therapy constitutes the cornerstone of treatment. Further studies are needed to uncover the etiopathogenesis of PSIS.
Topics: Female; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Hypopituitarism; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Gland; Pregnancy; Syndrome
PubMed: 34238482
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-820683-6.00002-6 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Mar 2023Pituitary incidentalomas are common findings with increasing use of modern neuroradiological imaging undertaken for symptoms unrelated to pituitary disease. The...
Pituitary incidentalomas are common findings with increasing use of modern neuroradiological imaging undertaken for symptoms unrelated to pituitary disease. The prevalence of these lesions is ∼10% in autopsy studies and the incidence varies from 10% to 38% on magnetic resonance imaging in the published literature. They are almost always benign in nature and most are non-functioning (non-secreting) adenomas. Although many individuals are asymptomatic at diagnosis, some with functioning (secreting) pituitary adenomas or larger non-functioning adenomas have symptoms. All identified cases should have a thorough clinical and endocrinological evaluation to help with precise management, which depends on the size of the lesion, hormonal status (functioning versus non-functioning adenoma) and the presence of visual deficits resulting from optic nerve compression by the pituitary adenoma. Here, we provide an overview of the initial assessment and management of pituitary incidentalomas for clinicians not routinely involved in the management of pituitary disease.
Topics: Humans; Incidental Findings; Pituitary Neoplasms; Pituitary Diseases; Adenoma; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 36958836
DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2023-0020 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jul 2023There is increased interest related to the impact of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) on the endocrine system and in particular on the pituitary gland. Over the course... (Review)
Review
There is increased interest related to the impact of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) on the endocrine system and in particular on the pituitary gland. Over the course of the severe infection with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there are both acute and delayed effects on the pituitary, related to infection and/or treatment. Hypopituitarism, pituitary apoplexy and hypophysitis have been all reported, as well as arginine vasopressin deficiency (diabetes insipidus) and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Furthermore, patients with acromegaly, Cushing's disease and hypopituitarism are theoretically at increased risk of complications with COVID-19 and require close monitoring. Evidence regarding pituitary dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 continues to be gathered, as the breadth and depth of knowledge also continues to rapidly evolve. This review summarizes data analysis to date on the possible effects of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination on patients with normal pituitary function and patients with known pituitary pathology. Though clinical systems were significantly affected, it seems there is no overall loss of biochemical control in patients with certain pituitary pathologies.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Gland; Hypopituitarism
PubMed: 36878774
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2023.101752 -
Australian Journal of General Practice 2021Pituitary lesions are present in >10% of the population. Approximately one in 1000 people has a symptomatic pituitary tumour, which may cause clinical problems from...
BACKGROUND
Pituitary lesions are present in >10% of the population. Approximately one in 1000 people has a symptomatic pituitary tumour, which may cause clinical problems from mass effect, hormonal hypersecretion and impairment of normal pituitary function.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to outline the potential causes of a sellar and parasellar mass, with an emphasis on the presenting clinical features and screening investigations that are applicable to doctors working in the primary care setting.
DISCUSSION
There is a broad range of causes of a sellar/parasellar mass. Pituitary adenomas and Rathke's cleft cysts are the most frequently encountered. Prolactinomas are the most common functioning tumour and tend to present as macroadenomas in men, while hyperprolactinaemia is associated with 15% of secondary amenorrhoea in women. Acromegaly and Cushing's disease are rare but important diagnoses to detect. Pituitary disease is optimally managed in a specialist centre in the context of an established multidisciplinary team.
Topics: Central Nervous System Cysts; Female; Humans; Male; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Neoplasms
PubMed: 33543159
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-10-20-5688 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Jul 2022Cushing's Syndrome (CS), or chronic endogenous hypercortisolism, is a rare and serious disease due to corticotroph pituitary (Cushing's disease, CD) and extra-pituitary... (Review)
Review
Cushing's Syndrome (CS), or chronic endogenous hypercortisolism, is a rare and serious disease due to corticotroph pituitary (Cushing's disease, CD) and extra-pituitary (ectopic CS) tumours overproducing ACTH, or cortisol-secreting adrenal tumours or lesions (adrenal CS). The first-line treatment for CS is represented by the surgical removal of the responsible tumour, but surgery might be unfeasible or ineffective and medical treatment can be required in a relevant percentage of patients with CS, especially CD and ectopic CS. Corticotroph pituitary and extra-pituitary tumours, as well as adrenal tumours and lesions responsible for CS express dopamine receptors (DRs), which have been found to mediate inhibition of hormone secretion and/or cell proliferation in experimental setting, suggesting that dopaminergic system, particularly DRs, might represent a target for the treatment of CS. Dopamine agonists (DAs), particularly cabergoline (CAB), are currently used as off-label treatment for CD, the most common form of CS, demonstrating efficacy in controlling hormone secretion and tumour growth in a relevant number of cases, with the improvement of clinical picture, and displaying good safety profile. Therefore, CAB may be considered a reasonable alternative treatment for persistent or recurrent CD after pituitary surgery failure, but occasionally also before pituitary surgery, as adjuvant treatment, or even instead of pituitary surgery as first-line treatment in case of surgery contraindications or refusal. A certain beneficial effect of CAB has been also reported in ectopic CS. However, the role of DAs in the clinical management of the different types of CS requires further evaluations.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Cabergoline; Cushing Syndrome; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Neoplasms
PubMed: 35460460
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01661-x -
Problemy Endokrinologii Jul 2022A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread around the world since was first scientifically described in December 2019. At present... (Review)
Review
A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread around the world since was first scientifically described in December 2019. At present approximately 400 million people have suffered from the disease, almost 6 million people have died.SARS-CoV-2 uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in several endocrine glands, including the pituitary, pancreas, thyroid, ovaries, and testes. Thus, the endocrine glands may be a direct target for SARS-CoV-2. The main risk factors for severity of the COVID-19 are obesity, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), vertebral fractures, which potentially predisposes patients to a severe course of COVID-19.In this review, we present current data on the course of COVID-19 in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary diseases, and also discuss treatment for endocrinopathies during to COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pituitary Diseases
PubMed: 36337014
DOI: 10.14341/probl13108 -
Journal of Neuroendocrinology Aug 2022Pituitary tumors are generally benign, although in rare cases aggressive pituitary tumors (APTs) and carcinomas present important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges... (Review)
Review
Pituitary tumors are generally benign, although in rare cases aggressive pituitary tumors (APTs) and carcinomas present important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and are associated with a high mortality rate. Almost half of these APTs and carcinomas are corticotroph tumors, suggesting a specific prognosis. Clinical, pathological and molecular prognostic markers are limited and do not allow early management of these tumors. Temozolomide remains the first-line treatment once a diagnosis of aggressive pituitary tumor or carcinoma has been made. Novel alternative treatments exist, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, which can be used in the case of temozolomide treatment failure. The aim of this review is to present the clinical, pathological and molecular characteristics of aggressive corticotroph tumors and carcinomas, and to describe the results obtained with currently available treatments.
Topics: Adenoma; Carcinoma; Corticotrophs; Humans; Pituitary Neoplasms; Temozolomide
PubMed: 35979732
DOI: 10.1111/jne.13169 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... May 2022Pituitary autoimmunity is one of the principal causes of hypopituitarism. Additionally, hypophysitis is one of the immune-related adverse events associated with... (Review)
Review
Pituitary autoimmunity is one of the principal causes of hypopituitarism. Additionally, hypophysitis is one of the immune-related adverse events associated with immunotherapy. Recent case-oriented research has revealed a novel type of autoimmune hypophysitis, anti-PIT-1 hypophysitis, related to isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency and immune checkpoint inhibitor-related hypophysitis, as a form of paraneoplastic syndrome. Under these conditions, the ectopic expression of pituitary antigens present in tumors evokes a breakdown of immune tolerance, resulting in the production of autoantibodies and autoreactive cytotoxic T cells that specifically harm pituitary cells. Consequently, an innovative clinical entity of paraneoplastic autoimmune hypophysitis has been purported. This novel concept and its underlying mechanisms provide clues for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune pituitary diseases and can be applied to other autoimmune diseases. This review discusses the etiology of paraneoplastic autoimmune hypophysitis and its future.
Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Endocrine System Diseases; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypophysitis; Pituitary Diseases
PubMed: 34876362
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101601 -
British Journal of Neurosurgery Jun 2022Aneurysmal Subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is one of the most common causes of neurocritical care admission. Consistent evidence has been suggestive of endocrine... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is one of the most common causes of neurocritical care admission. Consistent evidence has been suggestive of endocrine dysregulation in aSAH. This review aims to provide an up-to-date presentation of the available evidence regarding endocrine dysregulation in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed database. All available evidence related to endocrine dysregulation in hypothalamic-pituitary hormones, adrenal hormones and natriuretic peptides after aSAH, published since 2010, were reviewed.
RESULTS
There have been reports of varying prevalence of dysregulation in hypothalamic-pituitary and adrenal hormones in aSAH. The cause of this dysregulation and its pattern remain unclear. Hypothalamic-pituitary and adrenal dysregulation have been associated with higher incidence of poor neurological outcome and increased mortality. Whilst there is evidence that long-term dysregulation of these axes may also develop, it appears to be less frequent than the acute-phase dysregulation and transient in pattern. Increased levels of catecholamines have been reported in the hyper-acute phase of aSAH with reported inconsistent correlation with the outcomes and the complications of the disease. There is growing evidence that of a causal link between the endocrine dysregulation and the development of hyponatraemia and delayed cerebral ischaemia, in the acute phase of aSAH. However, the pathophysiological mechanism and pattern of endocrine dysregulation which could be causally associated with these complications still remain debatable.
CONCLUSION
The evidence, mainly from small observational and heterogeneous in methodology studies, is suggestive of adverse effects of the endocrine dysregulation on the outcome and the incidence of complications of the disease. However, the cause of this dysregulation and a pathophysiological mechanism that could link its presence with the development of acute complications and the outcome of the aSAH remain unclear. Further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical significance of endocrine dysregulation in subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Topics: Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Infarction; Hormones; Humans; Pituitary Diseases; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
PubMed: 35170377
DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2022.2039378