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Li YM, Shaw CS, Chen TC, Lin DSC. Beyond Occam's Razor: Concurrent Non-functional Pituitary Macroadenoma and Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient With Functional Cure of Hepatitis B. Cureus 2024; 16:e62339. [PMID: 39006628 PMCID: PMC11246244 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Occam's razor, the principle of parsimony, is frequently employed in medicine to derive a single diagnosis from a patient's myriad symptoms. Conversely, Hickam's dictum, which embraces the principle of plenitude by considering multiple diagnoses for a patient's presentation, is often underutilized or not as widely recognized as Occam's razor. The application of Hickam's dictum is particularly crucial when evaluating nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, which can manifest in various diseases. This report describes the case of a 72-year-old man with a history of functional cure for hepatitis B who presented with chronic fatigue and hyponatremia. Initially, he was diagnosed with non-functional pituitary macroadenoma and panhypopituitarism. Two months following pituitary surgery, the onset of dyspepsia and the recurrence of fatigue revealed metastatic tumors in the liver, stomach, pancreas, left adrenal gland, and peri-pancreatic lymph nodes. A liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. This case highlights the importance of considering multiple, potentially co-existing conditions based on the patient's symptoms and risk factors to complete the thorough diagnoses. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to remain vigilant regarding the risk of liver cancer in patients with a history of chronic hepatitis B infection, irrespective of a functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Li
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Ching-Shiang Shaw
- Department of Medicine, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei, TWN
| | - Tse-Ching Chen
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, TWN
| | - Diego Shih-Chieh Lin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, TWN
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Theiler S, Hegetschweiler S, Staartjes VE, Spinello A, Brandi G, Regli L, Serra C. Influence of gender and sexual hormones on outcomes after pituitary surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2023; 165:2445-2460. [PMID: 37555999 PMCID: PMC10477253 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-023-05726-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there is an increasing body of evidence showing gender differences in various medical domains as well as presentation and biology of pituitary adenoma (PA), gender differences regarding outcome of patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection of PA are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify gender differences in PA surgery. METHODS The PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched up to April 2023 to identify eligible articles. Quality appraisal and extraction were performed in duplicate. RESULTS A total of 40 studies including 4989 patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our analysis showed odds ratio of postoperative biochemical remission in males vs. females of 0.83 (95% CI 0.59-1.15, P = 0.26), odds ratio of gross total resection in male vs. female patients of 0.68 (95% CI 0.34-1.39, P = 0.30), odds ratio of postoperative diabetes insipidus in male vs. female patients of 0.40 (95% CI 0.26-0.64, P < 0.0001), and a mean difference of preoperative level of prolactin in male vs. female patients of 11.62 (95% CI - 119.04-142.27, P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS There was a significantly higher rate of postoperative DI in female patients after endoscopic or microscopic transsphenoidal PA surgery, and although there was some data in isolated studies suggesting influence of gender on postoperative biochemical remission, rate of GTR, and preoperative prolactin levels, these findings could not be confirmed in this meta-analysis and demonstrated no statistically significant effect. Further research is needed and future studies concerning PA surgery should report their data by gender or sexual hormones and ideally further assess their impact on PA surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Theiler
- Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience (MICN) Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Saskia Hegetschweiler
- Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience (MICN) Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Victor E Staartjes
- Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience (MICN) Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Spinello
- Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience (MICN) Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Brandi
- Institute for Intensive Care, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Regli
- Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience (MICN) Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Serra
- Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience (MICN) Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Cooper O, Lis R, Bonert V, Labadzhyan A, Liu NA, Ben-Shlomo A, Ljubimov V, Krutikova V, Mamelak AN. Fluid Restriction Reduces Delayed Hyponatremia and Hospital Readmissions After Transsphenoidal Surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:e623-e633. [PMID: 36723998 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Postoperative hyponatremia leads to prolonged hospital length of stay and readmission within 30 days. OBJECTIVE To assess 3 strategies for reducing rates of postoperative hyponatremia and analyze risk factors for hyponatremia. DESIGN Two retrospective analyses and 1 prospective study. SETTING Tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS Patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas and other sellar and parasellar pathologies. INTERVENTION(S) Phase 1: no intervention. Phase 2: postoperative day (POD) 7 sodium testing and patient education. Phase 3: fluid restriction to 1 L/day on discharge in addition to phase 2 interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates of early and delayed hyponatremia and readmissions. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for hyponatremia and readmission costs. RESULTS In phase 1, 296 patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Twenty percent developed early and 28% delayed hyponatremia. Thirty-eight percent underwent POD 7 sodium testing. Readmission rates were 15% overall and 4.3% for hyponatremia. In phase 2 (n = 316), 22% developed early and 25% delayed hyponatremia. Eighty-nine percent complied with POD 7 sodium testing. Readmissions were unchanged although severity of hyponatremia was reduced by 60%. In phase 3 (n = 110), delayed hyponatremia was reduced 2-fold [12.7%, relative risk (RR) = 0.52] and readmissions 3-fold [4.6%, RR = 0.30 (0.12-0.73)]; readmissions for hyponatremia were markedly reduced. Hyponatremia readmission increased costs by 30%. CONCLUSIONS Restricting fluid to 1 L/day on discharge decreases rates of delayed hyponatremia and readmissions by 50%. Standardized patient education and POD 7 sodium testing decreases severity of hyponatremia but does not impact readmission rates. These protocols should be considered standard practice for patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odelia Cooper
- Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rita Lis
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vivien Bonert
- Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Artak Labadzhyan
- Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ning-Ai Liu
- Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anat Ben-Shlomo
- Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vladimir Ljubimov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Adam N Mamelak
- Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Eosinophil counts can be a predictive marker of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency: a retrospective cohort study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1294. [PMID: 35079086 PMCID: PMC8789805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05400-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment can result in endocrine immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including pituitary dysfunction. Quick diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI) is challenging because no universal definition of ICI-induced secondary AI has been agreed. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of ICI-induced secondary AI that can be used for screening in standard clinical practice. This retrospective study was performed using the medical records of patients who received ICIs at Hirosaki University Hospital between 1 September 2014 and 31 January 2021. Longitudinal clinical data of patients who developed AI were analyzed and compared with the data of thyroid irAEs. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between ICI-induced secondary AI and absolute or relative eosinophil counts at pre-onset of AI, as well as differences or rate of increase in eosinophil counts at baseline and at pre-onset. Absolute eosinophil counts > 198.36/µL or relative eosinophil counts > 5.6% at pre-onset, and a difference of 65.25/µL or a rate of eosinophil count increase of 1.97 between the baseline and at pre-onset showed the best sensitivity and specificity. This is the first report to demonstrate that eosinophil counts can be a predictor of ICI-induced secondary AI.
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Krishnamurthy A, Bhattacharya S, Lathia T, Kantroo V, Kalra S, Dutta D. Anticancer Medications and Sodium Dysmetabolism. EUROPEAN ENDOCRINOLOGY 2020; 16:122-130. [PMID: 33117443 DOI: 10.17925/ee.2020.16.2.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic advances have revolutionised cancer treatment over the last two decades, but despite improved survival and outcomes, adverse effects to anticancer therapy such as dyselectrolytaemias do occur and need to be managed appropriately. This review explores essential aspects of sodium homeostasis in cancer with a focus on alterations arising from anticancer medications. Sodium and water balance are tightly regulated by close interplay of stimuli arising from hypothalamic osmoreceptors, arterial and atrial baroreceptors and the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus. This delicate balance can be disrupted by cancer itself, as well as the medications used to treat it. Some of the conventional chemotherapeutics, such as alkylating agents and platinum-based drugs, can cause hyponatraemia and, on rare occasions, hypernatraemia. Other conventional agents such as vinca alkaloids, as well as newer targeted cancer therapies including small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, can cause hyponatraemia, usually as a result of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Hyponatraemia can also sometimes occur secondarily to drug-induced hypocortisolism or salt-wasting syndromes. Another atypical but distinct mechanism for hyponatraemia is via pituitary dysfunction induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors. Hypernatraemia is uncommon and occasionally ensues as a result of drug-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Identification of the aetiology and appropriate management of these conditions, in addition to averting treatment-related problems, can be lifesaving in critical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Krishnamurthy
- Endocrinology Department, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Saptarshi Bhattacharya
- Endocrinology Department, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tejal Lathia
- Endocrinology Department, Fortis Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Viny Kantroo
- Respiratory Department, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Endocrinology Department, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Deep Dutta
- CEDAR Superspeciality Clinics, Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Association of Sex with Serum Potassium, Sodium, and Calcium Disorders after Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage. World Neurosurg 2020; 141:e367-e373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Development of a simple prediction model for adrenal crisis diagnosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13546. [PMID: 32782279 PMCID: PMC7421495 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To develop a prediction model for adrenal crisis (AC) diagnosis among individuals with adrenal insufficiency that relies on the values of routinely measured clinical parameters, for application in standard clinical practice. We retrospectively analysed data from five referral centres in Japan. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of AC, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine their optimal cut-off points. The analysis included data from 54 patients with 90 AC events. Logistic regression revealed that serum sodium and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were independent predictors of AC. Serum sodium levels < 137 mEq/L had a sensitivity of 71.1% and specificity of 95.6%. CRP levels > 1.3 mg/dL had a sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 94.9%. In combination, serum sodium levels < 137 mEq/L or CRP levels > 1.3 mg/dL for AC diagnosis had sensitivity and specificity values of 97.8% and 94.4%, respectively. The combined use of serum sodium and CRP levels had high sensitivity and specificity, and can be used for AC screening in standard clinical practice. The model can assist in identifying AC among high-risk individuals. A larger prospective study is needed to validate these results.
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Li X, Yang H, Duan Z, Chang Q, Wei X, Li C, Ba Y, Du J. A case series study of hypopituitarism in older patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms. Postgrad Med 2018; 130:501-506. [PMID: 29863435 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2018.1479612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Some older individuals who present with gastrointestinal symptoms as their chief complaint were ultimately diagnosed with hypopituitarism instead of gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to find the characteristics of biochemical indicators in these patients so as to reduce early misdiagnosis. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 45 patients with hypopituitarism who were at least 60 years of age. Two groups were included: group of hypopituitarism patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (Group G) included 23 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and group of hypopituitarism patients without gastrointestinal symptoms (Group N) included 22 patients without these symptoms. In Group G, we investigated the prevalence of different gastrointestinal symptoms, the response of these symptoms to treatment, the occurrence of electrolyte disorders, and target gland dysfunction. Then, we compared the electrolyte and target gland function indices between the two groups. RESULTS Nausea and vomiting were the most common complaints, accounting for 69.57% of the gastrointestinal symptoms in Group G. Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte disorder, occurring in 72.86% (n = 18) of patients in Group G. Hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism were reported by 69.57% and 60.78% of patients, respectively, in Group G. None of the gastrointestinal symptoms were relieved by 4 weeks of treatment with antacid and motility drugs. As mentioned, 18 patients also experienced refractory hyponatremia during early treatment including regular sodium supplements; however, their gastrointestinal symptoms and hyponatremia improved after only a week of treatment for hypopituitarism. Regarding the biochemical indicators, only serum sodium and cortisol in Group G were statistically lower compared with those in Group N (P < .05). CONCLUSION Nausea and vomiting were the most common gastrointestinal symptoms in older patients with hypopituitarism, which were associated with lower serum sodium and cortisol. In addition, we hope to share the research to our gastroenterologists that serum sodium and cortisol should be tested when meeting elder patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- a Second Department of Gastroenterology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
| | - Hang Yang
- a Second Department of Gastroenterology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
| | - Zhijun Duan
- a Second Department of Gastroenterology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
| | - Qingyong Chang
- b Second Department of Neurosurgery , Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University , Dalian , China
| | - Xiaoting Wei
- a Second Department of Gastroenterology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
| | - Changjin Li
- a Second Department of Gastroenterology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
| | - Ying Ba
- c Department of Endocrinology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
| | - Jianling Du
- c Department of Endocrinology , First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , China
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Garrahy A, Thompson CJ. Glucocorticoid deficiency and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis: an underdiagnosed association? Ann Clin Biochem 2017; 55:4-6. [DOI: 10.1177/0004563217743776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Garrahy
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/RCSI Medical School, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christopher J Thompson
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/RCSI Medical School, Dublin, Ireland
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