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Case Reports in Endocrinology 2023Pituitary metastases (PM) are extremely uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all intracranial metastases. PM of an undiagnosed malignancy can commonly present with...
Pituitary metastases (PM) are extremely uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all intracranial metastases. PM of an undiagnosed malignancy can commonly present with symptoms of hormonal deficiencies, central diabetes insipidus, and/or visual symptoms. Lung and breast malignancies are the most common cancers associated with PM. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic options, the prognosis remains poor and is influenced by primary malignancy and treatment methods. We report a case of a patient with PM from lung cancer who had polyuria, polydipsia, and nonspecific symptoms. A full evaluation confirmed central diabetes insipidus, hypogonadism, and metastatic lung cancer. We also discuss the current literature on PM diagnosis and management, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of all available data. This is the first case of PM reported from Syria, to our knowledge.
PubMed: 37731967
DOI: 10.1155/2023/1482675 -
Cureus Aug 2023Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is typically diagnosed in young people; however, it can appear at any age. Its incidence in adulthood is not as well-known as in childhood,...
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is typically diagnosed in young people; however, it can appear at any age. Its incidence in adulthood is not as well-known as in childhood, particularly if it is diagnosed in geriatric age. T1D diagnosed in adulthood can be explained by the development of antibodies in adulthood or also by the existence of slow-disease progressors. A 71-year-old normal-weight woman presented to the Emergency Department complaining of polyuria, polydipsia, and tiredness. She was identified with hyperglycemia (450mg/dL) and high blood and urine ketone bodies. Her arterial gasometry revealed mild metabolic ketoacidosis. Further laboratory work-up was remarkable for positive anti-GAD and anti-ICA antibodies and her HbA1c was 14.1%. The diagnosis of T1D was established. A urinary infection was also identified. The patient's symptoms in association with metabolic ketoacidosis, in the presence of high titers of more than one positive T1D-related antibody, have helped us to diagnose T1D in this elderly woman. A prompt diagnosis enabled us to establish adequate diabetes treatment. The urinary infection was probably a trigger to the symptomatic phase of diabetes. T1D can be diagnosed at any age, even in elderly patients. A prompt T1D diagnosis can avoid the misdiagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D), enabling the beginning of correct medication earlier.
PubMed: 37719609
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43646 -
Cureus Aug 2023Hyponatremia is the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance encountered among hospitalized patients, athletes, the elderly, patients with chronic ailments, postoperative... (Review)
Review
Hyponatremia is the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance encountered among hospitalized patients, athletes, the elderly, patients with chronic ailments, postoperative patients, and a few asymptomatic individuals. Clinical manifestations of hyponatremia can be diverse, with characteristic neurological symptoms. Depending on in-depth medical history, physical examination (including volume status assessment), laboratory investigation, and drug history, patients can be classified broadly as undergoing hypervolemic, euvolemic, or hypovolemic hyponatremia. However, patients with hypervolemic hyponatremia often present with distinctive signs such as edema or ascites, and the clinical presentation of hypovolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia poses significant challenges for clinicians. The convolution in clinical manifestations of patients is due to the varied etiologies of euvolemic hyponatremia, such as syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), adrenocortical insufficiency, hypothyroidism, psychogenic polydipsia, different classes of drugs (chemotherapeutics, antipsychotics, antidepressants), endurance exercise events, and reset osmostat syndrome (ROS). The management of hyponatremia depends on the rate of hyponatremia onset, duration, severity of symptoms, levels of serum sodium, and underlying comorbidities. Over the last decade, the clinical understanding of hyponatremia has been scattered due to the introduction of innovative laboratory markers and new drugs. This article will be a conspectus of all the recent advancements in the field of diagnosis, investigations, management, and associations of hyponatremia, along with traditional clinical practices. Subsequently, a holistic overview has been laid out for the clinicians to better understand and identify knowledge deficiencies on this topic.
PubMed: 37700952
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43390 -
Cureus Aug 2023Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition that can impact multiple organs in the body such as the lungs, skin, eyes, and, occasionally, the central nervous system. When...
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition that can impact multiple organs in the body such as the lungs, skin, eyes, and, occasionally, the central nervous system. When sarcoidosis affects the nervous system, it is referred to as neurosarcoidosis and is estimated to occur in approximately 5%-15% of sarcoid patients. When neurosarcoidosis affects the pituitary gland, it can result in panhypopituitarism, which can be life-threatening. A 35-year-old male with a known diagnosis of sarcoidosis by skin biopsies presented to the hospital with altered mental status, hypernatremia, hypotension, and hypothermia. He reported symptoms of polyuria and polydipsia for several weeks before admission. Laboratory workup revealed elevated serum sodium at 167 mmol/L, high serum osmolality at 381 mOsm/kg, and low urine osmolality at 381 mOsm/kg, consistent with diabetes insipidus. Anterior pituitary hormone profile workup revealed low 8 am serum cortisol (1.9 mcg/dL) and inappropriately normal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (34 pg/ml), low serum free testosterone (<2.5 ng/dL), low luteinizing hormone (0.7 mIU/ml), low follicular stimulating hormone (< 2.6 mIU/ml), low free T4 at 0.4 ng/dL. and inappropriately normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at 2.77 uIU/mL. Serum prolactin was mildly elevated at 86.8 ng/mL. Angiotensin-converting enzyme level was within the normal range at 33 U/L. A diagnosis of panhypopituitarism was made. Brain MRI revealed a 3 cm mass in the suprasellar region involving the hypothalamus and bilateral optic tracts with a mass effect on the anterior third ventricle. No discrete pituitary or stalk lesion was identified. A ventriculostomy tube was placed for developing hydrocephalus. A biopsy of the suprasellar mass revealed non-caseating granuloma, confirming neurosarcoidosis. Treatment was initiated with high-dose IV corticosteroids to manage secondary adrenal insufficiency and neurosarcoidosis. He was also started on IV desmopressin and IV levothyroxine to manage his diabetes insipidus and central hypothyroidism. He was transitioned to oral therapy upon discharge. Panhypopituitarism secondary to neurosarcoidosis is a rare presentation that can occur due to the infiltration of the pituitary gland or the infiltration of the hypothalamus affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Neurosarcoidosis should be considered a differential when evaluating patients with symptoms consistent with panhypopituitarism. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of corticosteroids and deficient hormones can be lifesaving.
PubMed: 37692696
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43169 -
BMC Pediatrics Aug 2023Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are rare benign tumors of the liver that occur predominantly in women taking oral contraceptives. In children, HCAs comprise < 5% of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are rare benign tumors of the liver that occur predominantly in women taking oral contraceptives. In children, HCAs comprise < 5% of hepatic tumors. We report a case of HCAs in a 7-year-old girl with estrogen and glucose imbalance.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 7-year-old girl was presented to our hospital with bilateral breast enlargement for 2 months, polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, hyperglycemia, and significant weight gain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a 7.2 cm×6.9 cm×5.3 cm round-shaped mass in the left inner lobe of the liver, ovarian ultrasound showed multiple follicles in the ovaries bilaterally, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an enlarged superior pituitary. Hematological and biochemical results were as follows: fasting glucose was 19.7 mmol/L, estradiol was 122.9 pmol/L, follicle-stimulating hormone 10.81 IU/L, luteinizing hormone 10.99 IU/L, insulin-like growth factor 1,513 ng/mL, glutamine aminotransferase 86 U/L, and alkaline phosphatase 362 U/L. Thyroid functions, methemoglobin, fetal protein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and chorionic gonadotropin were normal. The patient had a complete surgical resection of the liver tumor, and the postoperative histopathological diagnosis was HCAs. After the surgery, insulin was injected and the glucose levels were stable. During the 36-month follow-up period, neither tumor recurrence nor significant abnormalities were detected using color Doppler ultrasound of the liver. The child's precocious puberty is currently under control.
CONCLUSIONS
HCAs are particularly rare in children with liver tumors, and risk factors for the development of HCAs in children include sex hormone imbalance, obesity, Fanconi anemia (FA), glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) type I, III, and IV, galactosemia, immunodeficiency, congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS), cardiac hepatopathy status-post Fontan procedure, Hurler syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, germline HNF1A mutations, and maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3. Most HCAs are detected during a physical examination without clinical symptoms, and some patients may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and abdominal masse. Serum liver function tests can show increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ- glutamyl transferase (GT), whereas α-Fetoprofein (AFP) levels are normal. The definitive diagnosis relies mainly on histopathological examination. Because HCAs can rupture and bleed and become malignant. Early surgical treatment is recommended after detection.
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Adenoma, Liver Cell; Alkaline Phosphatase; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Liver Neoplasms
PubMed: 37620840
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04209-5 -
Endocrine Connections Nov 2023The diagnosis of the polyuria-polydipsia syndrome is challenging. Copeptin is a robust biomarker of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion. Arginine, which stimulates...
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of the polyuria-polydipsia syndrome is challenging. Copeptin is a robust biomarker of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion. Arginine, which stimulates growth hormone (GH), has been shown also to stimulate copeptin secretion via unknown mechanisms.
AIM
The aim was to investigate copeptin levels in response to three different GH stimulation tests in patients suspected of GH deficiency.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, we measured plasma copeptin levels at baseline and at 60, 105, and 150 min in patients undergoing a stimulation test for growth hormone deficiency with either arginine (n = 16), clonidine (n = 8) or the insulin tolerance test (ITT) (n = 10).
RESULTS
In patients undergoing the arginine test, the mean age was 9 years, and 10 years for clonidine. The ITT was only performed in adult patients (>18 years) with a mean age of 49 years. Copeptin level increased significantly from baseline to 60 min after arginine (P <0.01) and ITT (P < 0.01). By contrast, copeptin level tended to decrease after clonidine stimulation (P = 0.14).
CONCLUSION
These data support that infusion of arginine increases plasma copeptin levels and reveal a comparable response after an ITT. We hypothesize that the underlying mechanism is abrogation of somatostatin-induced AVP suppression.
PubMed: 37610005
DOI: 10.1530/EC-23-0042 -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... Oct 2023A 1-year-old spayed female Miniature Schnauzer had chronic hyponatremia, accompanied by polyuria and polydipsia. Blood tests and urinalysis revealed severe hyponatremia,...
A 1-year-old spayed female Miniature Schnauzer had chronic hyponatremia, accompanied by polyuria and polydipsia. Blood tests and urinalysis revealed severe hyponatremia, low plasma osmolality with euvolemia, and increased sodium excretion in urine. Hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism were ruled out as causes. These findings led to the diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed dilation of the lateral ventricles, indicating severe hydrocephalus. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist commonly used in human SIADH, was administered along with water restriction. This treatment resulted in a consistent increase in plasma sodium levels without any adverse effects. This case report represents the first documented evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of tolvaptan in treating SIADH in a dog.
Topics: Dogs; Female; Humans; Animals; Tolvaptan; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Vasopressins; Sodium; Benzazepines; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37587049
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0243 -
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism... Aug 2023A Caucasian man in his 60s with recent diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma presented to the emergency department with a 5-day history of severe polyuria,...
SUMMARY
A Caucasian man in his 60s with recent diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma presented to the emergency department with a 5-day history of severe polyuria, polydipsia and fatigue and 1-day history of confusion, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Investigations revealed an overlap of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS). He had received the first dose of immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab 3 weeks prior to this attendance. New-onset type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was confirmed based on the clinical features at presentation, seropositivity for glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and significant insulin deficiency. He is currently on a multiple daily injections of insulin and uses intermittent-scanned glucose monitoring. Given the irreversible impact on beta-cell function and clinical response with insulin resulting in improved diabetes control, immunotherapy was resumed for his metastatic cancer with good radiological response. Although rare, new-onset T1DM can present with DKA and HSS overlap after a single dose of nivolumab/ipilimumab in individuals without pre-existing history of diabetes.
LEARNING POINTS
Although rare, new onset of T1DM after immunotherapy can present with DKA and HSS overlap after a single dose of nivolumab/ipilimumab in individuals without pre-existing history of diabetes and normal glycaemic parameters. Due to the irreversible destruction of beta-cells, treatment with steroids is not indicated in contrast to other settings such as immunotherapy-induced hypophysitis. Presence of low c-peptide levels post-acute presentation is indicative of an irreversible impact on beta-cell function and supports resuming immunotherapy given the significant benefits on cancer prognosis. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion in regards to diagnosis and management of new-onset type 1 diabetes and advice patients on reporting symptoms suggestive of diabetes and/or diabetes-related hyperglycaemic emergencies.
PubMed: 37584383
DOI: 10.1530/EDM-22-0389 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) represents an acute, severe complication of relative insulin deficiency and a common presentation of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)... (Review)
Review
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) represents an acute, severe complication of relative insulin deficiency and a common presentation of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) primarily and, occasionally, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents. It is characterized by the biochemical triad of hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia and/or ketonuria, and acidaemia. Clinical symptoms include dehydration, tachypnoea, gastrointestinal symptoms, and reduced level of consciousness, precipitated by a variably long period of polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. The present review aims to summarize potential pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of DKA. A literature review was conducted using the Pubmed/Medline and Scopus databases including articles published from 2000 onwards. Diagnostic challenges include differentiating between T1DM and T2DM, between DKA and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS), and between DKA and alternative diagnoses presenting with overlapping symptoms, such as pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis, acute abdomen, and central nervous system infection. The mainstays of DKA management include careful fluid resuscitation, timely intravenous insulin administration, restoration of shifting electrolyte disorders and addressing underlying precipitating factors. However, evidence suggests that optimal treatment remains a therapeutic challenge. Accurate and rapid diagnosis, prompt intervention, and meticulous monitoring are of major importance to break the vicious cycle of life-threatening events and prevent severe complications during this potentially fatal medical emergency.
PubMed: 37568965
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13152602 -
Cureus Jul 2023Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma or systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma that infiltrates the CNS can cause central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Polyuria and...
Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma or systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma that infiltrates the CNS can cause central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Polyuria and polydipsia should raise the suspicion of CDI development in patients with lymphoma that infiltrates the CNS. CDI is effectively treated with desmopressin. However, careful monitoring of the patient's serum sodium, fluid intake, urine output, and weight is necessary because patients receiving desmopressin may develop hyponatremia, so they should be alert to recognize this side effect promptly. Moreover, CDI due to lymphoma can occasionally be reversible. Therefore, the dosage of desmopressin should be adapted during or after the treatment of lymphoma.
PubMed: 37551214
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41500