ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Introduction. The aim of this study is to appreciate the visual and endocrine outcome and to determine the factors that may influence the outcome of patients with pituitary apoplexy. Material and Methods. Between January 2006 and March 2012, 81 pituitary tumors were treated at “N. Oblu” Clinical Emergency Hospital in Iasi. Investigations of 22 of these cases met the criteria for pituitary apoplexy (17 cases of non-secreting pituitary adenomas and 5 cases of secreting tumors (4 GH secreting adenomas with acromegaly and 1 prolactinoma). Twenty one patients underwent surgery. The mean follow-up duration was 21 months. Results. Distribution between sexes was 1:1, with a mean age of 55.0 years. In all cases pituitary apoplexy emerged in patients with macroadenomas (>1cm). 77.27% presented decreased visual acuity, cranial nerve palsy was found in 45.45%. Visual acuity improved after surgical decompression best results being obtained in patients operated within first 7 days from onset (p=0.005); 80% recovered the CN palsy after surgery (p=0.005), with no relation to delay of surgery (p=0.26) or cavernous sinus invasion (0.095); 18.18% presented with pituitary deficiency and maintained it after surgery, the rate of new pituitary deficiency was 27.77% significantly higher in patients operated using craniotomies (p=0.001). Conclusions. Clinical apoplexy emerged in patients with macroadenomas unrelated to the tumor type. Early surgical decompression (< 7 days) and high dose corticoids represent the main therapeutic approach for obtaining good recovery of visual function. CN palsy has a good prognostic not being related to the delay of surgery. Pituitary dysfunction at presentation is irreversible and has a high occurrence after surgical decompression, requiring lifelong hormone replacement.

Context. Neuroendocrine tumors are tumors developing from primitive cells in the intestinal walls, but can also affect the lungs, liver, pancreas, ovaries. Objective. We aim to describe the clinical, imagistic and biologic aspect of neuroendocrine tumors with different localizations and present the evolution, treatment options and prognosis. Design. Four patients either with previously known neuroendocrine tumors or with newly discovered tumors were studied. Subjects and methods. The first patient was diagnosed with primary liver carcinoid with pulmonary metastases by abdominal and thoracic CT scan, liver biopsy and determination of serologic markers. The second patient was diagnosed with primary lung neuroendocrine tumor using thoracoscopy biopsy and serologic markers The third patient was diagnosed with a large gastric neuroendocrine tumor with liver and spleen metastases. using CT scan, MRI and biopsy from the abdominal mass. The fourth patient was diagnosed with primary liver carcinoid using imagistic methods (CT scan) and liver biopsy. Results. The first patient died after 4 months due to the extent of the disease and comorbidities. The second patient had a good evolution, as the tumor was diagnosed in a localized stage. The third patient had a decreased survival due to the dimensions of the primary tumor and the multiple liver metastases which later caused obstructive jaundice requiring external biliary drainage. The fourth patient has had a good evolution, the tumor masses in the liver are being kept under control using transarterial chemoembolization. Conclusion. Neuroendocrine tumors are very versatile both in location and clinical aspect. The diagnosis requires imagistic methods but it is imperative to perform biopsy of the lesions with special histologic stains in order to be sure of the diagnosis.

Background. There are few cases of methimazole induced hepatitis. The mechanism is probably related to the fact that it is a hepatic- metabolised drug. Objective. To demonstrate the fact that an acute cholestatic hepatitis can be triggered by methimazole. Design. While dealing with a major cholestatic syndrome with cytolysis, we performed the following steps: correct and complete history, serum detection of acute viral hepatitis, an autoimmune cause and finally liver biopsy. Subjects and Methods. We present the case of an 80 year old woman, with a history of hyperthyroidism, in treatment with Methimazole. After a month, the patient developed jaundice, for which she was admitted to our clinic. On admission she presented an important cholestatic syndrome, with elevated transaminases (5 times normal). Results. None of the laboratory tests indicated a possible viral infection or autoimmune disease. Abdominal ultrasound revealed no possible obstruction of the biliary system. Ultimately we performed a liver biopsy, which revealed inflammatory infiltration and cholestasis. Conclusion. We conclude that the hepatitis was induced by methimazole. Corticotherapy was initiated, with a relatively slow but favourable evolution. I131- Radiation therapy was elected for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Context and objective. The new insights in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) reveal the implications of adipocytokines. This study aims to analyze the correlations between the serum value of adiponectin and the clinical rehabilitation effects in patients diagnosed with knee OA, admitted and treated in the complex balneal resort of Techirghiol lake. Subjects and methods. The prospective randomized clinical study included 23 patients in the study group, diagnosed with knee OA according to ACR criteria, and a matching control group of 23 subjects. Serum level of adiponectin (using ELISA technique), uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDLcholesterol and clinical response using a visual analog scale (VAS) were evaluated in all patients on their admission day and after 10 days of balneal treatment. Control group benefited from the same procedures except for cold mud therapy and mineral water baths. Results. Plasma adiponectin levels (23.73±6.44 ng/dL) were statistically higher (p<0.05) in the study group compared to the control group (18.15±6.49 ng/dL). The mean VAS in both groups was decreased (p<0.005) compared to the initial moment. Conclusions. Cold peloidotherapy combined with physical therapy and balneal factors induces serum adiponectin elevation and improves knee pain in OA. Therapeutic properties of Techirghiol mud still need further research.

Context. As we progress into the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become apparent that this infection is associated with a multitude of systemic effects, some involving the thyroid gland. The thyroid is also frequently affected in the HCV chronic infection. Objective. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of COVID-19 infection on the presence and severity of thyroid disorders associated with chronic HCV infection, at short and mid-term follow-up. Design. We prospectively evaluated patients with documented HCV- associated thyroid disease (with sustained virologic response after antiviral therapy). Subjects and Methods. The study group consisted of 42 patients with HCV- associated thyroid disease, diagnosed with COVID -19 infection between April and October 2020. We determined serum values of thyroidstimulating hormone, freeT3, free T4, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies at one and three months after resolution of infection and compared them to the baseline characteristics of the patient. We also evaluated the changes in thyroid substitution treatments or antithyroid drugs. Results. At baseline, out of the 42 patients, 5 presented hypothyroidism under levothyroxine substitution therapy, while 2 presented hyperthyroidism under methimazole therapy; 37 patients had positive antithyroid antibodies. At one month follow-up, we note an increase in serum values of antibodies, with a decrease in TSH, freeT3 and freeT4 levels, correlated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. Two patients required discontinuation of levothyroxine. At 3 months follow-up, lower levels of antithyroid antibodies were recorded, with an increase in TSH levels. No medication doses were adjusted at this time. Conclusion. Among the systemic effects of COVID-19, the impact of thyroid dysfunction should not be underestimated, especially in the presence of pre-existing conditions, such as HCV infection.

Context. COVID-19 is more than a respiratory infection, with deep implications regarding multiple systems and organs. Thyroid damage is frequent in COVID-19 and may overlap previous HCV or HCC associated diseases. Objective. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of COVID-19 in patients with HCV associated HCC and thyroid comorbidities. Design. We performed a retrospective study of the thyroid function tests and autoantibodies in patients with HCV-associated HCC prior and during COVID-19. Subjects and Methods. We included 52 consecutive patients with HCV-associated HCC and documented thyroid disease, diagnosed with COVID -19 between April and October 2020. Serum values of thyroidstimulating hormone, free T3, free T4, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-thyroid peroxydase antibodies were determined and compared to baseline levels. Results. At baseline, 44 patients had positive antithyroid antibodies, 6 had hypothyroidism in substitution and 2 had hyperthyroidism under treatment. During COVID-19 we found an increase in serum values of antithyroid antibodies, and decreased levels of TSH, freeT3 and freeT4 levels. Specific therapies were discontinued in one patient with hyperthyroidism and 3 patients with hypothyroidism. Conclusion. There is a significant impact of COVID-19 on the thyroid homeostasis; a long-term prognostic value for patients with HCC infected with COVID-19 required further extensive research.

Background. If not diagnosed at birth, congenital hypothyroidism (CH) can cause deleterious, irreversible neurodevelopmental sequels. The importance of thyroid newborn screening (NBS) is therefore well established. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of NBS for CH in North-East Romania. Methods. Retrospective, descriptive study involving 271662 newborns screened between 2010 and 2019 for CH and phenylketonuria in maternities from six Romanian NorthEastern counties by measuring neonatal TSH (neoTSH) in the whole blood extracted from the heel between days 3 and 5 after birth. Values found higher than a cut-off level of 10 mIU/L were followed by serum evaluation of TSH and fT4 for the confirmation of CH. Thyroid ultrasound was further performed at children found with CH. Results. NeoTSH was found elevated in 417 newborns, but CH was subsequently confirmed in only 57 cases (1/4766 newborns). Mean age at the time when diagnosis was communicated was of 37.2 ± 15 days (between 9 and 157 days). Mean age when therapy was started was of 44.2 ± 17.9 days (between 13 and 160 days) with a mean delay of one week from diagnosis (between 0 and 62 days). Thyroid ultrasound revealed athyreosis in only 3 cases, atrophic thyroid gland in other 10 cases, whereas the thyroid was described as present in the remnant 44 cases. The number of first year follow-up visits greatly varied from 0 to 5, with an average of 2. Conclusions. NBS allowed rapid diagnosis of CH in North East Romania. The communication of diagnosis to families and therapy onset were however often delayed. Diagnosis and therapy onset before the age of two weeks, as well as a tighter follow-up should be assured by the healthcare system. Etiological diagnosis should be more accurate, for a better prognosis of disease severity, as well as the possibility of genetic advice in selected cases.

Context. Hepatitis C and diabetes represent important health problems globally. The new-onset diabetes after transplantation is a particular entity that appears due to the use of immunosuppression among transplanted patients. Objective. We aim to describe the clinical and biological aspects of severe hyperglycemia in a kidney transplant recipient undergoing Interferon-free therapy for chronic hepatitis C, discussing the interference of different factors with the glucose metabolism. Design. The occurrence of diabetes in a patient with history of renal transplantation and Interferon-free treated hepatitis C was studied from both clinical and paraclinical points of view. Subjects and methods. When presenting to the hospital, extensive blood tests were performed on the patient, revealing significant hyperglycemia and an elevated level of blood tacrolimus. Creatinine clearance was calculated. ECG presented T-wave alterations. Intensive insulin protocol was applied, the case being managed in a multidisciplinary approach. Results. Blood glucose and tacrolimus were slowly normalized, under therapy. The antiviral treatment was continued, with the achievement of sustained virologic response. Conclusions. Diabetes mellitus can have many causes, hepatitis C and transplantation both having an impact on glucose metabolism. The association of the three entities should be carefully managed, due to its enhancing effect on morbidity and mortality.