ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. Permanent hypocalcemia is a rare but significant complication of thyroid surgery Objective. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy . Design. Study included 134 total patients submitted to thyroidectomy from two endocrine units (January 2015 – August 2016). Methods. We measured total serum calcium (sCa) and intact PTH (iPTH) on postoperative day one and 1 month after surgery. Results. 118 patients were women with F/M ratio of 7.3/1 and a mean age of 51.8 years. 64 patients were included in group A (iPTH <12 pg/mL) and 70 patients in group B (iPTH >12 pg/mL). sCa and hypocalcemia symptoms were correlated with iPTH, measured 24 hours after surgery. The cut-off value was for sCa 8.05 mg/dL with a sensitivity of 85.29% and a specificity of 88.0% and for iPTH 11.2 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 82.3% and a specificity of 71.0%. SCa (< 8.05 mg/dL) was a predictive factor with a 99 (IC95%:12.86- 761.58) and iPTH (<11.2 pg/mL) with a 10.77 higher risk (CI95%: 3.83-30.30) to be associated with symptoms. Conclusion. SCa and iPTH represent good predictive factors of early and safe hospital discharge and can predict the risk of prolonged and permanent hypoparathyroidism.

The most common cause of hypercalcemia is parathyroid hyperplasia and carcinoma. Tuberculosis(TB) and sarcoidosis are the most common granulomatous diseases of the parathyroid. We report a case of parathyroid adenoma that can mimic many lesions. A 46-year-old woman on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with symptoms and signs of hypercalcemia. Laboratory findings were consistent with tertiary hyperparathyroidism. She underwent elective parathyroidectomy due to high PTH values despite effective treatment including calcimimetics and vitamin D receptor activators. Subtotal thyroidectomy and three and a half of parathyroid adenomas were removed. Histopathological examination revealed features of parathyroid adenoma with granulomatosis infection that supports tuberculosis. In order to confirm the pathological findings, the PCR study was performed on the pathology specimens. After obtaining a negative result, the treatment was stopped. We have reported a case of parathyroid adenoma that mimicking tuberculosis.

Context. Physical activity is important for the management of metabolic functions; however, little is known whether performing home-based moderate-intensity exercise (MIE) obtains further improvement on metabolic functions in adults with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) who already perform regular gym-based MIE. Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of adding home-based MIE on metabolic functions in older adults with NCDs who have regularly performed gym-based MIE. Design. This was a single-center randomized controlled study. The observation period was set for 24 weeks. Subjects and Methods. Twenty-one older adults (age, 60–79 years) with uncomplicated NCDs, who have performed 30–40 min MIE, 2–3 days/week at a hospital gym for over 1 year, were randomly divided into two groups: performing home-based MIE, comprising aerobic and resistance exercises, at least 20 min/day, 3 days/week (HOME, n = 11), or not performing home-based MIE (CON, n = 10). All participants completed the study and continued their gym-based MIE as usual. Results. After 24 weeks, there were no significant differences in the values of any outcomes. Conversely, the decrease in waist circumference (WC) was larger in the HOME group (–2.17 [–3.98, –0.36] cm) than in the CON group (0.57 [–1.42, 2.56] cm) (p < 0.05), although not in other outcomes. Conclusions. Although further studies are needed, we found that adding home-based MIE had a positive effect on WC, but little effect on other metabolic functions in older adults with NCDs who have continued regular gym-based MIE.

A 38 years old, heavy smoker, was admitted in our thyroid unit in August 1993 with left eye proptosis (21 mm), right eye prosthesis and euthyroidism. Orbital CT scan revealed inferior rectus muscle hypertrophy in the left orbit and possible residual (postoperative) lateral rectus muscle hypertrophy in the right orbit. Left eye proptosis was treated with both glucocorticoids and orbital radiotherapy.\r\nSeven years before (1986) the patient developed right eye proptosis, without clinical features of hyperthyroidism. Being suspected of a sphenoid ring meningioma and since orbital CT scan was not available at that time, a right orbit exploration was performed in November 1987; soon after orbital exploration, clinical features suggesting right orbital cellulitis occurred, followed by right eye evisceration and right eye prosthesis. After 18 years of Graves ophthalmopathy with euthyroidism, in February 2004 an autoimmune hyperthyroidism was diagnosed (suppressed TSH, high TT3, positive TRAb), being successfully treated with radioiodine. One year after the ablative therapy the patient is still euthyroid. A patient with euthyroid Graves ophthalmopathy should be monitored indefinitely, since a thyroid dysfunction may occur even after more than a decade.

We present a 18 year old phenotypic female patient who presented for primary amenorrhea. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a hypoplastic uterus and CT scan showed a hypoplastic right gonad and a left gonadal tumor with extrapelvic location. Karyotype was 46XY. Hormonal assessment indicated hypergonadotropic hypogonadism: FSH was 39.69 mUI/ml, estradiol was 28.07 pg/ml, testosterone was 0.17 ng/ml. DHEA level was high &#8211; 21 ng/ml. Gonadectomy was performed at 15 years and histologic examination diagnosed left gonadoblastoma and right teratoma in a dysgenetic gonad. The patient had a good postoperatory evolution. Menses were induced with estrogenic and then estroprogestogenic treatment. Plastic breast surgery was performed at 18 years. Establishing the genotypic sex in patients with primary amenorrhea represents a crucial step knowing that intersex disorders bearing Y chromosomal material have a high risk for gonadoblastoma and germ cell tumors.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Aim. To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk (CVR) categories in the adult population (aged 40-79 years) of Romania. Design. The present study was part of the epidemiological, cross-sectional PREDATORR study (PREvalence of DiAbeTes mellitus, prediabetes, overweight, Obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease in Romania). Subjects and Methods. Exclusion criteria: age <40/ or>79 years old and diagnosis of ischemic vascular disease. The CVR was evaluated using charts developed by the World Health Organization/ International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) available for Europe B (epidemiological subregion where Romania was included). The CVR was divided into 5 categories: <10%, 10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40%, > 40%. Results. A total of 1631 subjects (57.0±10.7 years, 45.1% males) were included in the present study. The age and sex-adjusted prevalence of CVR >40% was 2.9% (95%CI 2.8-3.1%), CVR 30-40% was 1.85% (95%CI 1.8-1.9%), CVR 20-30% was 5.8% (95%CI 5.6- 6.0%) and 13.0% (95%CI 12.8-13.3%) of the adult Romanian population has a 10-20% CVR, these CVR categories being more frequent in male and older age. Diabetes, overweight/ obesity and smoking were associated with high CVR categories. Conclusion. Romania is one of the countries with high CVR, requiring CVD prevention measures.

Background. Adipose tissue is linked to cardiovascular and metabolic complications of diabetes by increased local production of adipokines that may lead to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Objective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between plasma adipokines levels and anthropometric and systemic endothelial dysfunction markers in obese type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and methods. Two groups of type 2 diabetic patients were selected considering their Body Mass Index (BMI) value: group 1, overweight (BMI= 28.4 -29.9 kg/m2; n = 35) and group 2, obese (≥30 BMI≤ 40 kg/m2; n = 45). In all patients there were assessed: height, weight, waist and hip circumference, visceral fat index, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), plasma levels of insulin, proinsulin, adiponectin and leptin. The HOMA-IR and waist to hip ratio (WHR)were calculated as well. Results. Comparing the obese diabetic patients with the overweight ones, plasma levels of leptin were higher (p<0.001) while adiponectin levels were lower (p<0.05). BMI was positively correlated with leptin (r=0.661, p<0.001) and negatively with adiponectin (r=-0.338, p=0.008). Moreover, leptin was positively correlated with the waist circumference (r=0.453, p<0.001), visceral fat index (r=0.555, p<0.001) and HOMA-IR (r=0.370, p=0.004) while adiponectin was negatively correlated with waist circumference (r=-0.350, p=0.006), visceral fat index (r=-0.269, p=0.038) and HOMA-IR (r=-0.318, p=0.013). We have also found positive correlation for ACR with HbA1c (r=0.549, p<0.001), glycemia (r=-0.411, p=0.001), HOMA-IR (r=0.445, p<0.001) and with leptin (r=0.276, p=0.033) and negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol (r=-0.304, p=0.018). Conclusions. Leptin and adiponectin, as indicators of chronic low grade inflammatory syndrome are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction in obese type 2 diabetic patients.

Granulomatous hypophysitis is a very rare inflammatory lesion of the pituitary gland. Its typical clinical presentation is as an expanding sellar mass mimicking an adenoma, making it difficult to confirm the disease without a histopathological examination. Furthermore, determining the underlying etiology is a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Case Report. We report the case of a 42-year-old female who presented with a history of severe headache and a sellar mass on imaging; she was initially diagnosed with an invasive pituitary adenoma but received a final diagnosis of granulomatous hypophysitis. The differential diagnosis was focused on idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis versus tuberculous hypophysitis. On the one hand, the patient did not present signs of active tuberculosis nor of a systemic disease, and the PCR for mycobacteria on the pituitary tissue was negative; therefore, a diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis would be appropriate. However, because the patient was proceeding from an endemic zone of tuberculosis and her Mantoux and QuantiFERON tests were positive, tuberculous hypophysitis could not be totally excluded. Conclusions. This case highlights the difficulties of correctly diagnosing granulomatous hypophysitis, even postoperatively, and the need to be aware of this rare entity when evaluating a pituitary enlargement in order to provide the most appropriate treatment.

Primary Hyperaldosteronism is one of the causes of secondary hypertension. Primary Hyperaldosteronism is characterised by an increase in the production of aldosterone and the inhibition of the secretion of renin. We described here a case with rhabdomyolysis and severe hypokalemia as a cause of primary hyperaldosteronism. The creatine kinase, aldosterone were very high. Cortisol values and midnight salivary cortisol values were within normal range. The patient had been under treatment for high blood pressure for more than six years, with ARBs and calcium channel blockers. During this time the potassium values measured frequently every year were below normal range, but primary hyperaldosteronism was not suspected.

Background. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by congenital deficiency of enzymes involved in cortisol biosynthesis from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex. In this article, we aimed to present a 29-year-old female patient with I2 splice point mutation detected in one allele and P453S mutation on the other allele of CYP21A2 gene associated with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Her further investigation revealed that her mother had P453S mutation and her father had I2 splice mutation. Case report. A 29-year-old woman with CAH was admitted to our clinic with the request of pregnancy. Her physical examination revealed a height of 151 cm, weight 59 kg, body mass index 25.8 kg/m2. According to Tanner staging, she had Stage 3 breast development and pubic hair. Her laboratory test results were as follows: Glucose: 79 mg/dL (70-100 mg/dL), Creatinine: 0.6 (0.5-0.95 mg/ dL), Sodium: 138 mEq/L (135-145 mEq/L), Potassium: 4.4 mEq/L (3.5-5.1 mEq/L), Cortisol: 0.05 μg/dL, ACTH: <5.00 pg/mL (5-46 pg/mL), 17-OH progesterone: 7.67 ng/mL (0-3 ng/mL). Chromosome analysis revealed a 46, XX karyotype. CYP21A2 gene mutation analysis was performed for the patient whose clinical history and laboratory results were compatible with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. During the reverse dot blot analysis, I2 splice mutation in one allele and P453S mutation in the other allele were detected. Conclusion. Although the I2 splice mutation detected in our case was mostly associated with a saltwasting form of CAH, it was thought that the other P453S mutation detected may explain the relatively good clinical course in our case.