ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Our recent studies, led on 1336 tumor samples coming from 11 types of cancer, published in the New England Journal of Medicine 367:1621-1630 show that the receptor of the follicule-stimulating hormone (FSH receptor) is expressed in a preferential way in the tumor blood vessels. No expression has been detected at the level of the blood vessels in healthy tissues, with the exception of the reproductive organs where it is present in much lower concentrations than in tumors. Being directly accessible to the intravenously delivered agents, the FSH receptor can be used as target for cancer imaging and drug delivery.

The diagnostic classification of osteoporosis is based on dual-energy X-ray\r\nabsorptiometry (DXA). Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone densitometry represents an\r\nalternative noninvasive technique used in the assessment of bone status in osteoporosis. The\r\nparameters measured by QUS are associated with overall bone strength: speed of sound\r\n(SOS) is influenced by bone elasticity and density, and the broadband ultrasound attenuation\r\n(BUA) is determined by bone density and microarchitecture. QUS benefits, like: low cost,\r\nlack of ionizing radiation, readily-accessible and portability of the measurement units,\r\nincreased the acceptance by patients and physicians and made QUS an attractive alternative\r\nfor screening programs in osteoporosis.\r\nUltrasound parameters consistently showed an inverse correlation with age, with\r\nsignificant decreases after menopause and at the same time proved to be effective for\r\ndiscriminating between normal and osteoporotic subjects. Heel QUS is proven, like central\r\nDXA, to predict hip fractures and all osteoporotic fractures in elderly women.\r\nDespite its proven advantages, in parallel with the great variety of commercial\r\nultrasound devices, the optimal use of QUS in clinical practice was a matter of debate. The\r\nInternational Society for Clinical Densitometry recently defined a Position Statement\r\naddressed to the clinical application of QUS.

Context. Amiodarone use has been associated with Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti-Diuretic Hormone (SIADH) with only 12 cases reported from its first description in 1996. Objective. The clinical use of the antiarrhythmogenic drug amiodarone is frequently complicated by a very broad spectrum of side effects: cardiac toxicity, hypo- and hyper-thyroidism, pulmonary fibrosis and liver function abnormalities. We report the case of a patient with amiodarone-induced SIADH with the particularity of a very late onset of these adverse effects. Case. A 78 years old man on amiodarone therapy for a history of complex ventricular arrhythmia after a myocardial infarction, comes to the Emergency Department of our Hospital for pre-syncopal symptoms. Laboratory test showed a hypo-osmotic hyponatremia (sodium 110 mEq/L, serum osmolality 233 mOsm/kg) associated with liver enzymes increases. A not suppressed urinary osmolality with high urinary sodium excretion associated with normal thyroid and adrenal functions led to the diagnosis of SIADH. Known associated disorders (neoplasms, lung diseases and central nervous system disorders) were suspected and excluded. A pharmacologic aetiology was suspected and, in the absence of diuretics and neurological drugs, amiodarone seemed the most probable cause of the SIADH. Hypertonic saline solution and fluid restriction were initiated and amiodarone discontinued with a gradual normalization of plasma sodium levels and liver enzymes. Conclusion. The clinical case underlines the importance of monitoring amiodarone-related SIADH with frequent electrolytes biochemical assessment not only in relation to an early but also to a late clinical onset.

Chronic ingestion of licorice is known to cause numerous metabolic and electrolyte disturbances. Severe hyponatremia, hypertension, and hypokalemia as well as metabolic alkalosis are amongst the most common consequences of chronic ingestion resulting in an apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME). Treatment predominantly consists of cessation of licorice ingestion, potassium replenishment and aldosterone antagonists. Given the potentially lethal effects of chronic licorice ingestion, clinicians should be made aware of the presentation of AME and the proper management. We present the rare case of a 62-year-old male with licorice-induced apparent mineralocorticoid excess secondary to excessive licorice tea intake. Initial presentation included severe hypokalemia of 2.2mmol/L and hypertension of 180/110mmHg, while eunatremic (Na, 144meq/L).

Proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC 1/3) deficiency is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the PCSK1 gene. The disease is characterized by earlyonset chronic diarrhea/malabsorption, followed by severe obesity and hormonal deficiencies such as hypocortisolism, hypothyroidism, diabetes insipidus, hypogonadism, growth deficiency, and diabetes mellitus. Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare tumor, usually of small dimensions of neuroectodermal origin that is difficult to distinguish pathologically from a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. A 22-year-old female patient with PC 1/3 deficiency was admitted to our clinic with recurrent urinary tract infections. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an 11x12 cm pelvic mass displacing the uterus. A core-needle biopsy was performed on the pelvic mass. As a result of the pathological evaluation, ıt was diagnosed with pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma. The patient was started on the VAC-IE chemotherapy protocol. We report a case of pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma in a patient with PC 1/3 deficiency. Further research is needed to assess malignancy risk in metabolic disorders including very rare disorders like PC 1/3 deficiency.

Context. Diabetic pseudoperitonitis is a very rare complication of the type 1 diabetes mellitus and it is associated with a severe ketoacidosis. The exact pathogenesis of the status is still unclear, the typical presentation is an acute abdomen by the patient. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to make examinations, which exclude other possible reason of an acute abdomen by the patient (laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound or a CT scan). Case presentation. A 46-years old man was admitted to the hospital wih a history of a 10 days epigastric pain. Laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan and upper endoscopy were performed, the reason of the pain remained unclear. Because of the peritoneal signs at the first day of the hospitalisation an acute surgery was indicated, without any pathology at the laparoscopy. A severe metabolic acidosis was recognized only after the surgery, the initial hypoglycaemia rose up after giving a total parenteral nutrition to the patient. The increase of the glycaemia, the severe metabolic acidosis with glycosuria and ketonuria, and the elevation of the glycated haemoglobin brought us to the diagnosis of the new onset of the diabetes. Conclusion. Diabetic pseudoperitonitis with the picture of an acute abdomen can occur as a first manifestation of the diabetes. Thinking of this rare complication and recognising it can avoid unnecessary acute surgery by the patient.

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Recent studies suggest that osteopontin (OPN) could be used as an early marker for the diagnosis of bone disorders. Considering the contradictory opinions in the literature, the objective of this systematic review is to analyse the current information regarding the relationship between OPN and bone mineral density (BMD), which represents an important process in the development of osteoporosis. We performed a literature search of clinical trials using the PubMed database, published between 1999-2020, and identified 7 studies that were eligible for analysis. The eligibility criteria were based on studies that analysed the relationship between osteopontin and bone mineral density on human subjects. Conclusion: serum OPN levels might be used as a biomarker of the early diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, with or without osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

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