Diagnosis and Treatment > Signs and Symptoms > Erectile dysfunction
You are looking at 1 - 10 of 10 items
Search for other papers by Carlos Tavares Bello in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Patricia Cipriano in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Vanessa Henriques in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by João Sequeira Duarte in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Conceição Canas Marques in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Granular cell tumours (GCT) are rare, slow-growing, benign neoplasms that are usually located in the head and neck. They are more frequent in the female gender and typically have an asymptomatic clinical course, being diagnosed only at autopsy. Symptomatic GCT of the neurohypophysis are exceedingly rare, being less than 70 cases described so far. The authors report on a case of a 28-year-old male that presented to the Endocrinology clinic with clinical and biochemical evidence of hypogonadism. He also reported minor headaches without any major visual symptoms. Further laboratory tests confirmed hypopituitarism (hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, central hypothyroidism and hypocortisolism) and central nervous system imaging revealed a pituitary macroadenoma. The patient underwent transcranial pituitary adenoma resection and the pathology report described a GCT of the neurohypophysis with low mitotic index. The reported case is noteworthy for the rarity of the clinicopathological entity.
Learning points:
-
Symptomatic GCTs are rare CNS tumours whose cell of origin is not well defined that usually give rise to visual symptoms, headache and endocrine dysfunction.
-
Imaging is quite unspecific and diagnosis is difficult to establish preoperatively.
-
Surgical excision is challenging due to lesion’s high vascularity and propensity to adhere to adjacent structures.
-
The reported case is noteworthy for the rarity of the clinicopathological entity.
Search for other papers by Ken Takeshima in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Hiroyuki Ariyasu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Tatsuya Ishibashi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Shintaro Kawai in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Shinsuke Uraki in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jinsoo Koh in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Hidefumi Ito in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Takashi Akamizu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disease affecting muscles, the eyes and the endocrine organs. Diabetes mellitus and primary hypogonadism are endocrine manifestations typically seen in patients with DM1. Abnormalities of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis have also been reported in some DM1 patients. We present a case of DM1 with a rare combination of multiple endocrinopathies; diabetes mellitus, a combined form of primary and secondary hypogonadism, and dysfunction of the HPA axis. In the present case, diabetes mellitus was characterized by severe insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia. Glycemic control improved after modification of insulin sensitizers, such as metformin and pioglitazone. Hypogonadism was treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Notably, body composition analysis revealed increase in muscle mass and decrease in fat mass in our patient. This implies that manifestations of hypogonadism could be hidden by symptoms of myotonic dystrophy. Our patient had no symptoms associated with adrenal deficiency, so adrenal dysfunction was carefully followed up without hydrocortisone replacement therapy. In this report, we highlight the necessity for evaluation and treatment of multiple endocrinopathies in patients with DM1.
Learning points:
-
DM1 patients could be affected by a variety of multiple endocrinopathies.
-
Our patients with DM1 presented rare combinations of multiple endocrinopathies; diabetes mellitus, combined form of primary and secondary hypogonadism and dysfunction of HPA axis.
-
Testosterone treatment of hypogonadism in patients with DM1 could improve body composition.
-
The patients with DM1 should be assessed endocrine functions and treated depending on the degree of each endocrine dysfunction.
Search for other papers by Ana G Ferreira in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Tiago N Silva in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Henrique V Luiz in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Filipa D Campos in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Maria C Cordeiro in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jorge R Portugal in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Sellar plasmacytomas are rare and the differential diagnosis with non-functioning pituitary adenomas might be difficult because of clinical and radiological resemblance. They usually present with neurological signs and intact anterior pituitary function. Some may already have or eventually progress to multiple myeloma. We describe a case associated with extensive anterior pituitary involvement, which is a rare form of presentation. A 68-year-old man was referred to our Endocrinology outpatient clinic due to gynecomastia, reduced libido and sexual impotence. Physical examination, breast ultrasound and mammography confirmed bilateral gynecomastia. Blood tests revealed slight hyperprolactinemia, low testosterone levels, low cortisol levels and central hypothyroidism. Sellar MRI showed a heterogeneous sellar mass (56 × 60 × 61 mm), initially suspected as an invasive macroadenoma. After correcting the pituitary deficits with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine, the patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Histological examination revealed a plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma was ruled out. The patient was unsuccessfully treated with radiation therapy (no tumor shrinkage). Myeloma ultimately developed, with several other similar lesions in different locations. The patient was started on chemotherapy, had a bone marrow transplant and is now stable (progression free) on lenalidomide and dexamethasone. The presenting symptoms and panhypopituitarism persisted, requiring chronic replacement treatment with levothyroxine, hydrocortisone and testosterone.
Learning points:
-
Plasmacytomas, although rare, are a possible type of sellar masses, which have a completely different treatment approach, so it is important to make the correct diagnosis.
-
Usually, they present with neurological signs and symptoms and a well-preserved pituitary function, but our case shows that anterior pituitary function can be severely compromised.
-
Making a more extensive evaluation (clinical and biochemical) might provide some clues to this diagnosis.
Search for other papers by Ana Coelho Gomes in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by José Maria Aragüés in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sílvia Guerra in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Joana Fernandes in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mário Rui Mascarenhas in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is common and occurs prematurely in HIV-infected men. However, HH with very low testosterone has not been described. Three men with normal pubertal development and HIV1 diagnosis at the ages of 22, 34 and 35 years. All complained of decreased libido, anejaculation and erectile dysfunction thirteen years, six months and one year after HIV diagnosis, respectively. Two had depressive syndrome and two were treated with antiretroviral therapy. Laboratory tests revealed isolated HH in all. Sellar and head CT scans were normal and all had normal CD4 count. They started testosterone replacement therapy, with symptoms improvement. Causes of HH in HIV-infected men include undernutrition, severe illness, drugs, pituitary dysfunction and comorbidities. Despite having none of these conditions (except two that were treated with low-dose psychotropics), our patients had HH with uncommonly low testosterone. This suggests that a different mechanism contributes to severe HH in HIV-infected men.
Learning points:
-
The pathogenesis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is multifactorial and androgen deficiency is more often a consequence of secondary hypogonadism than primary hypogonadism.
-
Causes of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in HIV-infected men include undernutrition, severe illness, drugs (psychotropics, opiates, megestrol acetate or steroids), pituitary dysfunction (tumor, hyperprolactinemia), an AIDS-related lesion (very rarely) and comorbid conditions, such as antibody to hepatitis C virus seropositivity and injection drug use.
-
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), particularly protease inhibitor therapy has been associated with sexual dysfunction in men, but the causal nature of this relation has not been clearly established.
-
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with uncommonly low testosterone levels are not usually associated with the conditions referred and this suggests that a different mechanism could contribute to severe hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in HIV-infected men.
-
Screening for hypogonadism in all HIV-infected men might help to understand its etiology.
Search for other papers by Ahmad Haider in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Karim S Haider in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Research Department, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE
Search for other papers by Farid Saad in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
In daily practice, clinicians are often confronted with obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients for whom the treatment plan fails and who show an inadequate glycemic control and/or no sustainable weight loss. Untreated hypogonadism can be the reason for such treatment failure. This case describes the profound impact testosterone therapy can have on a male hypogonadal patient with metabolic syndrome, resulting in a substantial and sustained loss of body weight, pronounced improvement of all critical laboratory values and finally complete remission of diabetes.
Learning points:
-
Hypogonadism occurs frequently in men with T2DM.
-
In case of pronounced abdominal fat deposition and T2DM, the male patient should be evaluated for testosterone deficiency.
-
Untreated hypogonadism can complicate the successful treatment of patients with T2DM.
-
Under testosterone therapy, critical laboratory values are facilitated to return back to normal ranges and even complete remission of diabetes can be achieved.
Search for other papers by Kingsley Okolie in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Search for other papers by Sumathy Perampalam in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Anthony Barker in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Search for other papers by Christopher J Nolan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is a chromosomal disorder affecting males, with the typical karyotype of 47,XXY due to a supernumerary X chromosome, which causes progressive testicular failure resulting in androgen deficiency and infertility. Despite it being the most common sex chromosomal disorder, its diagnosis is easily missed. In addition to its classical clinical features of tall stature, gynaecomastia, small testes, and symptoms and signs of hypogonadism including infertility, KS is also often associated with neurocognitive, behavioural and psychiatric disorders.
We present a 44-year-old man with KS who, despite having erectile dysfunction, paradoxically had increased libido. He used sildenafil to overcome his erectile dysfunction. Hypersexuality was manifested by very frequent masturbation, multiple sexual partners most of whom were casual, and a sexual offence conviction at the age of 17 years.
Discussion focuses on the frequent failure of clinicians to diagnose KS, the neurocognitive, behavioural and psychiatric aspects of KS, this unusual presentation of hypersexuality in a man with KS, and the challenges of medical management of hypogonadism in a man with a history of a sexual offence.
Learning points:
-
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is common in men (about 1 in 600 males), but the diagnosis is very often missed.
-
In addition to classic features of hypogonadism, patients with KS can often have associated neurocognitive, behavioural and/or psychiatric disorders.
-
More awareness of the association between KS and difficulties related to verbal skills in boys could improve rates of early diagnosis and prevent longer-term psychosocial disability.
-
Hypersexuality in the context of hypogonadism raises the possibility of sex steroid independent mechanistic pathways for libido.
-
Testosterone replacement therapy in KS with hypersexuality should be undertaken with caution using a multidisciplinary team approach.
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Search for other papers by B Cangiano in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Search for other papers by C Cacciatore in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Search for other papers by L Persani in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Search for other papers by M Bonomi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
We describe a case of severe erythrocytosis caused by testosterone replacement therapy in a 66-year-old man affected with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) determining osteoporosis, resolved by switching to restoration therapy with clomiphene citrate. The patient complained fatigue, loss of libido and defective erections and a spontaneous vertebral fracture despite bisphosphonate therapy and vitamin D supplementation. The examinations proved isolated HH and he was therefore treated with testosterone gel with regression of specific manifestations but elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit values. Therefore, it was decided to switch to a restoration therapy with clomiphene citrate 25 mg/die, which resulted in the resolution of symptoms without evident side effects. In a couple of months, the patient showed normalization of testosterone levels and increment of testicular volume. Since secondary hypogonadism is the consequence of an insufficient stimulation of the gonads by hypothalamic–pituitary axis, therapeutic approaches aimed to restore endogenous testosterone production should be considered in alternative to testosterone replacement, particularly if side effects intervene. Among these strategies, clomiphene citrate seems to have a high efficacy and safety profile also in the elderly with isolated HH and no evident pituitary lesion.
Learning points:
-
Hypogonadism should always be assessed in patients with severe loss in BMD and undergo appropriate medical treatment.
-
In hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, more approaches are available other than testosterone replacement therapy alone.
-
In patients with severe late-onset central hypogonadism presenting with erythrocytosis even at low doses of replacement therapy, restoration therapy with clomiphene could prove to be an effective solution, particularly in patients with a reversible disruption of GNRH/gonadotropin functions.
-
Clomiphene citrate increases gonadotropin levels and testicular volume and should therefore be considered in hypogonadal men who wish to remain fertile.
Fundacion de Endocrinologia
Search for other papers by Oscar D Bruno in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ricardo Fernández Pisani in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Gabriel Isaac in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Armando Basso in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
The role of mechanical forces influencing the growth of a pituitary adenoma is poorly understood. In this paper we report the case of a young man with hyperprolactinaemia and an empty sella secondary to hydrocephalia, who developed a macroprolactinoma following the relief of high intraventricular pressure.
Learning points:
-
The volume of a pituitary tumour may be influenced not only by molecular but also by local mechanical factors.
-
Intratumoural pressure, resistance of the sellar diaphragm and intracranial liquid pressure may play a role in the final size of a pituitary adenoma.
-
The presence of hydrocephalus may hide a pituitary macroadenoma.
Search for other papers by J Bukowczan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by K Lois in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M Mathiopoulou in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by A B Grossman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by R A James in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Giant prolactinomas are rare tumours of the pituitary, which typically exceed 40 mm in their largest dimension. Impairment of higher cognitive function has been noted post-operatively after transcranial surgery and as a long-term consequence of the radiotherapy treatment. However, there has been little that is reported on such disturbances in relation to the tumour per se, and to our knowledge, there has been none in terms of responsivity to dopamine agonist therapy and shrinkage in these tumours. We present a case of successful restoration of severely impaired cognitive functions achieved safely after significant adenoma involution with medical treatment alone.
Learning points
-
Giant prolactinomas can be present with profound cognitive defects.
-
Dopamine agonists remain in the mainstay first-line treatment of giant prolactinomas.
-
Mechanisms of the reversible cognitive impairment associated with giant prolactinoma treatment appear to be complex and remain open to further studies.
-
Young patients with giant prolactinomas mandate genetic testing towards familial predisposition.
Search for other papers by Rajesh Rajendran in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sarita Naik in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Derek D Sandeman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Azraai B Nasruddin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
We report the use of pasireotide in a rare and unusual case of pituitary macroadenoma co-secreting GH, prolactin and ACTH. A 62-year-old Caucasian man presented with impotence. Clinically, he appeared acromegalic and subsequent investigations confirmed GH excess and hyperprolactinaemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of pituitary revealed a large pituitary macroadenoma. He underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery and histology confirmed an adenoma with immunohistochemistry positive for ACTH, GH and prolactin. Acromegaly was not cured following surgery and inadequately controlled despite subsequent octreotide therapy. He underwent further debulking pituitary surgery, following which IGF1 levels improved but still high. This time adenoma cells showed immunohistochemistry positivity for ACTH only, following which subsequent investigations confirmed intermittent hypercortisolaemia compatible with pituitary Cushing's disease. We recommended radiotherapy, but in view of the pluripotential nature of the tumour, we proceeded with a trial of s.c. pasireotide therapy on the basis that it may control both his acromegaly and Cushing's disease. After 3 months of pasireotide therapy, his mean GH and IGF1 levels improved significantly, with improvement in his symptoms but intermittent hypercortisolaemia persists. His glycaemic control deteriorated requiring addition of new anti-diabetic medication. MRI imaging showed loss of contrast uptake within the tumour following pasireotide therapy but no change in size. We conclude that our patient has had a partial response to pasireotide therapy. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to establish its safety and efficacy in patients with acromegaly and/or Cushing's disease.
Learning points
-
Plurihormonal pituitary adenomas are rare and unusual.
-
Patients with pituitary adenomas co-secreting ACTH and GH are more likely to present with acromegaly because GH excess can mask hypercortisolaemia.
-
Pasireotide holds potential where conventional somatostatin analogues are not effective in acromegaly due to higher affinity for somatostatin receptor subtypes 1, 2, 3 and 5.
-
Significant deterioration in glycaemic control remains a concern in the use of pasireotide.
-
Currently, long-term safety and efficacy of pasireotide in patients with acromegaly and/or Cushing's disease are not fully clear.
