Patient Demographics > Country of Treatment > Australia

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Stephanie Teasdale
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Elham Reda Endocrinology, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia

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Summary

We present two cases of adrenal phaeochromocytoma in patients with a previous diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). One had an adrenergic phenotype. The other had a more noradrenergic phenotype. Both had large primary tumours, which increases the likelihood of malignancy. Both also had elevated plasma-free methoxytyramine, which has been linked with malignancy even in non-SDHB phaeochromocytomas.

Learning points

  • Phaeochromocytoma can have varied clinical presentations.

  • Methoxytyramine can be useful in the biochemical work-up of both SDHB-positive and SDHB-negative phaeochromocytoma.

  • The utility of methoxytyramine as a marker of malignancy in NF1-related phaeochromocytoma is unclear, and cases with elevated titres warrant longer follow-up.

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W C Candy Sze Department of Endocrinology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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Joe McQuillan Department of Ophthalmology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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P Nicholas Plowman Department of Clinical Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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Niall MacDougall Department of Clinical Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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Philip Blackburn Gamma Knife Unit, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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H Ian Sabin Gamma Knife Unit, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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Nadeem Ali Department of Ophthalmology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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William M Drake Department of Endocrinology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

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Summary

We report three patients who developed symptoms and signs of ocular neuromyotonia (ONM) 3–6 months after receiving gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for functioning pituitary tumours. All three patients were complex, requiring multi-modality therapy and all had received prior external irradiation to the sellar region. Although direct causality cannot be attributed, the timing of the development of the symptoms would suggest that the GKS played a contributory role in the development of this rare problem, which we suggest clinicians should be aware of as a potential complication.

Learning points

  • GKS can cause ONM, presenting as intermittent diplopia.

  • ONM can occur quite rapidly after treatment with GKS.

  • Treatment with carbamazepine is effective and improve patient's quality of life.

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Angela S Lee Department of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
Sydney Medical School, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia

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Stephen M Twigg Department of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
Sydney Medical School, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia

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Summary

Adrenal insufficiency is a rare cause of hypercalcaemia and should be considered when more common causes such as primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy are excluded. Opioid therapy as a cause of adrenal insufficiency is a possibly under-recognised endocrinopathy with potentially life-threatening adverse effects. We report on a case of opioid-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency presenting as hypercalcaemia. The patient was a 25-year-old man who developed hypercalcaemia during the recovery stage after a period of critical illness. Systematic investigation of his hypercalcaemia found it to be due to secondary adrenal insufficiency, developing as a consequence of methadone opioid analgesia. Treatment with i.v. saline and subsequent glucocorticoid replacement led to resolution of the hypercalcaemia. The hypoadrenalism resolved when opioids were subsequently weaned and ceased. These two interacting endocrinopathies of opioid-induced adrenal insufficiency and consequent hypercalcaemia highlight the importance of maintaining awareness of the potentially serious adverse clinical outcomes which can occur as a result of opioids, particularly considering that symptoms of hypoadrenalism can overlap with those of concomitant illness. Treatment with hydration and glucocorticoid replacement is effective in promptly resolving the hypercalcaemia due to hypoadrenalism. Hypoadrenalism due to prescribed and recreational opioids may be more common than is currently recognised.

Learning points

  • Opioid therapy can cause clinically significant secondary adrenal insufficiency, and this may be more common than is currently recognised.

  • Adrenal insufficiency is reversible after discontinuation of the opioid therapy.

  • Hypercalcaemia can occur as a consequence of adrenal insufficiency, and may be the presenting feature.

  • Treatment of hypercalcaemia due to adrenal insufficiency involves i.v. saline and glucocorticoid replacement.

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Sunita M C De Sousa Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hormones and Cancer Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia

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Peter Earls Department of Anatomical Pathology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Ann I McCormack Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hormones and Cancer Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia

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Summary

Pituitary hyperplasia (PH) occurs in heterogeneous settings and remains under-recognised. Increased awareness of this condition and its natural history should circumvent unnecessary trans-sphenoidal surgery. We performed an observational case series of patients referred to a single endocrinologist over a 3-year period. Four young women were identified with PH manifesting as diffuse, symmetrical pituitary enlargement near or touching the optic apparatus on MRI. The first woman presented with primary hypothyroidism and likely had thyrotroph hyperplasia given prompt resolution with thyroxine. The second and third women were diagnosed with pathological gonadotroph hyperplasia due to primary gonadal insufficiency, with histopathological confirmation including gonadal-deficiency cells in the third case where surgery could have been avoided. The fourth woman likely had idiopathic PH, though she had concomitant polycystic ovary syndrome which is a debated cause of PH. Patients suspected of PH should undergo comprehensive hormonal, radiological and sometimes ophthalmological evaluation. This is best conducted by a specialised multidisciplinary team with preference for treatment of underlying conditions and close monitoring over surgical intervention.

Learning points

  • Normal pituitary dimensions are influenced by age and gender with the greatest pituitary heights seen in young adults and perimenopausal women.

  • Pituitary enlargement may be seen in the settings of pregnancy, end-organ insufficiency with loss of negative feedback, and excess trophic hormone from the hypothalamus or neuroendocrine tumours.

  • PH may be caused or exacerbated by medications including oestrogen, GNRH analogues and antipsychotics.

  • Management involves identification of cases of idiopathic PH suitable for simple surveillance and reversal of pathological or iatrogenic causes where they exist.

  • Surgery should be avoided in PH as it rarely progresses.

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Stephanie Teasdale Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Fahid Hashem Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Sarah Olson Department of Neurosurgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Benjamin Ong Department of Radiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Warrick J Inder Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Summary

A case of recurrent pituitary apoplexy is described in a 72-year-old man who initially presented with haemorrhage in a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. Five years later, he re-presented with a severe pituitary haemorrhage in an enlarging sellar mass invading both cavernous sinuses causing epistaxis and bilateral ocular paresis. Subsequent histology was consistent with a sellar malignant spindle and round cell neoplasm. Multiple pituitary tumours have previously been reported to coexist in the same individual, but to our knowledge this is the only case where two pathologically distinct pituitary neoplasms have sequentially arisen in a single patient. This case is also notable with respect to the progressive ocular paresis, including bilateral abducens nerve palsies, and the presentation with epistaxis.

Learning points

  • Ocular paresis in pituitary apoplexy can result from tumour infiltration of nerves, or by indirect compression via increased intrasellar pressure.

  • Epistaxis is a very rare presentation of a pituitary lesion.

  • Epistaxis more commonly occurs following trans-sphenoidal surgery, and can be delayed.

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Sally K Abell Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St Vincent's Hospital, PO Box 2900, Fitzroy, Melbourne, 3065 Victoria, Australia

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Jessie Teng Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St Vincent's Hospital, PO Box 2900, Fitzroy, Melbourne, 3065 Victoria, Australia

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Anthony Dowling Department of Oncology, St Vincent's Hospital, PO Box 2900, Fitzroy, Melbourne, 3065 Victoria, Australia

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Michael S Hofman Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Molecular Imaging, Centre for Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Richard J MacIsaac Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St Vincent's Hospital, PO Box 2900, Fitzroy, Melbourne, 3065 Victoria, Australia
Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Nirupa Sachithanandan Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St Vincent's Hospital, PO Box 2900, Fitzroy, Melbourne, 3065 Victoria, Australia

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Summary

This paper details the case of a 77-year-old male with refractory hypoglycaemia due to inoperable metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (pNET) co-secreting insulin and gastrin. Multiple medical therapies were trialled with limited success, and we describe the complications experienced by our patient. Somatostatin analogues can ameliorate hypoglycaemia and may have tumour-stabilising effects; however, in our case resulted in paradoxical worsening of hypoglycaemia. This rendered our patient hospital dependent for glycaemic support including continuous dextrose infusion. Although this is a reported adverse effect with initiation of therapy, we describe successful initiation of short-acting octreotide as an inpatient followed by commencement of long-acting octreotide. Hypoglycaemic collapse occurred only after dose titration of long-acting octreotide. We outline the pitfalls of somatostatin analogue therapy and the mechanisms that may contribute to worsening hypoglycaemia. This rare side effect cannot be reliably predicted, necessitating close supervision and glucose monitoring during therapy. Our patient achieved disease stabilisation and gradual resolution of hypoglycaemia with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), an emerging therapeutic option for metastatic neuroendocrine tumours with high efficacy and low toxicity. We present a brief but comprehensive discussion of currently available and novel therapies for insulin secreting pNETs.

Learning points

  • Hypoglycaemia due to malignant insulin secreting pNET is frequently severe and may be life-threatening despite supportive therapies.

  • Octreotide can ameliorate hypoglycaemia, and may have anti-proliferative and tumour-stabilising effects in malignant pNETs that are surgically unresectable.

  • Paradoxical worsening of hypoglycaemia may occur with octreotide initiation and dose titration, necessitating close supervision and glucose monitoring.

  • PRRT is emerging as a therapeutic option with high efficacy and low toxicity.

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Beverly T Rodrigues Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Douglas, Queensland, Australia

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Zulfiquer Otty Department of Oncology, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

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Kunwarjit Sangla Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

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Vasant V Shenoy Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Douglas, Queensland, Australia

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Summary

Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) has been previously described in a typical demographic population, primarily women in the reproductive age group and perinatal period. The era of immune modulation using anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 biological therapy (ipilimumab) against advanced cancers like metastatic melanomas has now resulted in a new form of hypophysitis being increasingly recognised under a spectrum of immune-related adverse events. Drug-related AH often presents with subtle symptoms and a pituitary mass, with the potential for fatality necessitating wide awareness and a high index of clinical suspicion given that it is usually treatable. We describe below two cases of AH within the last three months at our centre, which were treated with different regimens and produced good endocrine outcomes.

Learning points

  • AH is a new and defined clinical entity occurring as a side effect of ipilimumab, which enhances immune-mediated destruction of metastatic melanoma.

  • It can present insidiously and have life-threatening complications related to hypocortisolism, hence a high index of clinical suspicion must be exerted by treating physicians, and seems to result in resolution of pituitary masses and variable improvements of pituitary function.

  • Clinical improvement, radiological resolution of pituitary masses and variable normalisation of pituitary function are possible with early treatment with high-dose oral or i.v. steroids and hormone replacement therapy, although duration and dosing protocols are unclear at this stage.

  • Ipilimumab should continue to be prescribed as treatment for metastatic melanoma; however, close clinical observation of patient's progress must be maintained while they are on this drug.

  • Predictive factors for onset of AH remain unclear and it is imperative that AH is distinguished from pituitary metastases.

  • Further studies are required to determine the safety of continuing therapy with ipilimumab in patients who have developed AH while on treatment.

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Durgesh Gowda Departments of Diabetes and Endocrinology

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Vasant Shenoy Departments of Diabetes and Endocrinology

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Usman Malabu Departments of Diabetes and Endocrinology

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Donald Cameron Surgery, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

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Kunwarjit Sangla Departments of Diabetes and Endocrinology

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Summary

Our patient had drainage of a large amoebic liver abscess. This got complicated by a severe degree of hypotension, which required aggressive fluid resuscitation and hydrocortisone support. Computerised tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed bilateral adrenal gland haemorrhage (BAH) resulting in primary adrenal gland failure, which was the cause for hypotension. Patient was on long-term warfarin for provoked deep vein thrombosis of lower limb, which was discontinued before the procedure. Thrombophilia profile indicated the presence of lupus anticoagulant factor with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Patient was discharged on lifelong warfarin. This case emphasises the need for strong clinical suspicion for diagnosing BAH, rare but life-threatening condition, and its association with amoebic liver abscess and anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS).

Learning points

  • Recognition of BAH as a rare complication of sepsis.

  • APLS can rarely cause BAH.

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Aimee R Hayes Departments of Endocrinology and Neurosurgery, St George Hospital and University of New South Wales, Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia

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Anthony J O'Sullivan Departments of Endocrinology and Neurosurgery, St George Hospital and University of New South Wales, Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia

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Mark A Davies Departments of Endocrinology and Neurosurgery, St George Hospital and University of New South Wales, Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia

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Summary

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare event in pregnancy. A 41-year-old woman with a known pituitary microadenoma presented with visual disturbance and headache during the second trimester of pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated pituitary apoplexy with chiasmal compression. After treatment with corticosteroid therapy, she underwent transsphenoidal excision of the pituitary adenoma. Visual abnormalities were completely restored and pituitary function preserved. There was no evidence of impact on the foetus. The literature on the subject is reviewed with emphasis on the management of the apoplectic patient with mild and stable neuro-ophthalmological signs.

Learning points

  • There are no clear guidelines on the management of pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy. A multidisciplinary approach can minimise morbidity and mortality.

  • Pituitary apoplexy has an unpredictable clinical course and determining which clinical situations warrant early surgery needs to take into consideration the presence and severity of neurological signs and their stability.

  • The management of conscious apoplectic patients with absent or mild and stable neuro-ophthalmological signs is controversial.

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Lauren J Baker Endocrinology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Anthony J Gill Pathology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Charles Chan Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Anatomical Pathology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Betty P C Lin Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Anatomical Pathology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Bronwyn A Crawford Endocrinology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Summary

In 2006, a 58-year-old woman presented with thyrotoxicosis. She had undergone left hemithyroidectomy 14 years before for a benign follicular adenoma. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy with enhanced tracer uptake in the left lateral neck on a Technetium-99m uptake scan. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a left lateral neck node was insufficient for a cytological diagnosis; however, thyroglobulin (Tg) washings were strongly positive. The clinical suspicion was of functionally active metastatic thyroid cancer in cervical lymph nodes. A completion thyroidectomy and bilateral cervical lymph node dissection were performed. Histology demonstrated benign multinodularity in the right hemithyroid, with bilateral reactive lymphadenopathy and 24 benign hyperplastic thyroid nodules in the left lateral neck that were classified as parasitic thyroid nodules. As there had been a clinical suspicion of thyroid cancer, and the hyperplastic/parasitic thyroid tissue in the neck was extensive, the patient was given ablative radioactive iodine (3.7 GBq). After 2 years, a diagnostic radioactive iodine scan was clear and the serum Tg was undetectable. The patient has now been followed for 7 years with no evidence of recurrence. Archived tissue from a left lateral neck thyroid nodule has recently been analysed for BRAF V600E mutation, which was negative.

Learning points

  • Thyrotoxicosis due to functional thyroid tissue in the lateral neck is very rare and may be due to metastatic thyroid cancer or benign parasitic thyroid tissue.

  • Parasitic thyroid nodules should be considered as a differential diagnosis of lateral neck thyroid deposits, particularly where there is a history of prior thyroid surgery.

  • Parasitic thyroid nodules may occur as a result of traumatic rupture or implantation from a follicular adenoma at the time of surgery.

  • The use of ablative radioactive iodine may be appropriate, as resection of all parasitic thyroid tissue can prove difficult.

  • BRAF mutational analysis of parasitic thyroid tissue may provide extra reassurance in the exclusion of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

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