Diagnosis and Treatment > Signs and Symptoms > Photophobia
You are looking at 1 - 3 of 3 items
Search for other papers by Kingsley Okolie in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Daniel Chen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Raf Ghabrial in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Robert Schmidli in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Multinodular goitre is not associated with eye disease, unless in a rare case of Marine–Lenhart syndrome where it coexists with Grave’s disease. Therefore, other causes of exophthalmos need to be ruled out when the eye disease is seen in a patient with multinodular goitre. Confusion can arise in patients with features suggestive of Graves’ ophthalmopathy in the absence of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor autoantibodies and no evidence of other causes of exophthalmos. We present a case of multinodular goitre in a patient with exophthalmos which flared up after iodine contrast-based study. A 61-year-old Australian presented with a pre-syncopal attack and was diagnosed with toxic multinodular goitre. At the same time of investigations, to diagnose the possible cause of the pre-syncopal attack, computerised tomographic (CT) coronary artery angiogram was requested by a cardiologist. A few days after the iodine contrast-based imaging test was performed, he developed severe eye symptoms, with signs suggestive of Graves’ orbitopathy. MRI of the orbit revealed features of the disease. Although he had pre-existing eye symptoms, they were not classical of thyroid eye disease. He eventually had orbital decompressive surgery. This case poses a diagnostic dilemma of a possible Graves’ orbitopathy in a patient with multinodular goitre.
Learning points:
-
Graves’ orbitopathy can occur in a patient with normal autothyroid antibodies. The absence of the thyroid antibodies does not rule out the disease in all cases.
-
Graves’ orbitopathy can coexist with multinodular goitre.
-
Iodine-based compounds, in any form, can trigger severe symptoms, on the background of Graves’ eye disease.
Search for other papers by Annika Sjoeholm in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Cassandra Li in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Chaey Leem in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Aiden Lee in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Maria P Stack in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Paul L Hofman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Paediatric Endocrinology, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand
Search for other papers by Benjamin J Wheeler in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Phaeochromocytomas are a rare clinical entity, with dual hormone-secreting lesions particularly uncommon, seen in <1%. ACTH is the most common hormone co-produced, and is potentially lethal if not diagnosed. We present the case of a previously well 10-year-old boy, who presented acutely with a hypertensive crisis and was found to have a unilateral, non-syndromic phaeochromocytoma. Medical stabilization of his hypertension was challenging, and took 3 weeks to achieve, before proceeding to unilateral adrenalectomy. Post-operatively the child experienced severe fatigue and was subsequently confirmed to have adrenal insufficiency. He improved markedly with hydrocortisone replacement therapy, which is ongoing 6 months post-operatively. In retrospect this likely represents unrecognized, sub-clinical ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome secondary to an ACTH/or precursor dual-hormone secreting phaeochromocytoma. At follow-up, his hypertension had resolved, there was no biochemical evidence of recurrence of the phaeochromocytoma, and genetic analysis was indicative of a sporadic lesion.
Learning points
-
Dual hormone secreting phaeochromocytomas with ACTH/or a precursor may cause secondary adrenal insufficiency following surgical removal.
-
The concurrent features of Cushing's syndrome can be mild and easily overlooked presenting diagnostic and management pitfalls.
-
As concomitant syndromes of hormone excess are rare in phaeochromocytomas; the diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion.
-
Serial/diurnal cortisol levels, ACTH measurement +/− low dose dexamethasone suppression (when clinically stable, appropriate adrenergic blockade in place, and well supervised), can all be considered as needed.
Search for other papers by K Majumdar in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M Barnard in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by S Ramachandra in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M Berovic in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M Powell in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity across the world. In 2–5% of all cases of systemic TB, the C is affected, with lesions reported in the meninges, cortex and ventricles. Intrasellar tuberculomas, however, are extremely rare. We report the interesting case of a young female patient who presented with secondary hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinaemia. She was treated successfully for pituitary TB. We also highlight and discuss some interesting (and hitherto unreported) endocrine issues. Radiological and histological features and treatment of pituitary TB are discussed using this case as an example.
Learning points
-
Intrasellar TB continues to be a rare presentation, but incidence and prevalence are expected to grow with increasing numbers of multidrug-resistant TB and shrinking geographical boundaries across the world.
-
Pituitary TB can present with features of a typical adenoma, but has certain radiological and histological features that help to differentiate from an adenoma.
-
Patients can present with a variety of endocrine abnormalities at different times.
-
The presence of an intrasellar mass in individuals at a high risk of developing TB, or with a previous history of systemic TB, should prompt the diagnosis of pituitary TB. In such individuals, it may be worth considering a trial of anti-tuberculous therapy, before considering surgery.
