1
|
Popescu M, Terzea DC, Carsote M, Ghenea AE, Costache A, Popescu IAS, Biciuşcă V, Busuioc CJ, Ghemigian AM. COVID-19 infection: from stress-related cortisol levels to adrenal glands infarction. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY = REVUE ROUMAINE DE MORPHOLOGIE ET EMBRYOLOGIE 2022; 63:39-48. [PMID: 36074666 PMCID: PMC9593124 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.63.1.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cortisol is a key element in acute stress including a severe infection. However, in coronavirus-associated disease, 20% of subjects experience hypocortisolemia due to direct or immune damage of pituitary and adrenal glands. One extreme form of adrenal insufficiency is found in 2∕3 of cases with viral and post-viral adrenal infarction (AI) (with∕without adrenal hemorrhage) that is mostly associated with a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection; it requires prompt glucocorticoid intervention. Some reports are incidental findings at computed tomography (CT)∕magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for non-adrenal complications like pulmonary spreading and others are seen on post-mortem analysis. This is a review of PubMed-accessible, English papers focusing on AI in addition to the infection, between March 1, 2020 and November 1, 2021. Exclusion criteria were acute adrenal insufficiency without the histopathological (HP) and∕or imaging report of adrenal enlargement, necrosis, etc., respective adrenal failure due to pituitary causes, or non-COVID-19-related adrenal events. We identified a total of 84 patients (different levels of statistical evidence), as follows: a retrospective study on 51 individuals, two post-mortem studies comprising nine, respectively 12 patients, a case series of five subjects, seven single-case reports. HP aspects include necrosis associated with ischemia, cortical lipid degeneration (+/- focal adrenalitis), and infarcts at the level of adrenal cortex, blood clot into vessels, acute fibrinoid necrosis in arterioles and capsules, as well as subendothelial vacuolization. Collateral potential contributors to adrenal damage are thrombotic events, coagulation anomalies, antiphospholipid syndrome, endothelial dysfunction, severe COVID-19 infection with multiorgan failure, etc. Clinical picture is variable from acute primary adrenal insufficiency to asymptomatic or mild evolution, even a retrospective diagnostic; it may be a part of long COVID-19 syndrome; glucocorticoid therapy for non-adrenal considerations might mask cortisol deficient status due to AI∕hemorrhage. Despite its rarity, the COVID-19-associated AI/hemorrhage represents a challenging new chapter, a condition that is essential to be recognized due to its gravity since prompt intervention with glucocorticoid replacement is lifesaving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Popescu
- Department of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Dana Cristina Terzea
- Department of Pathology and Immunohistochemistry, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Pathology and Immunohistochemistry, Monza Onco Team Diagnostic, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mara Carsote
- Department of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alice Elena Ghenea
- Department of Bacteriology–Virology–Parasitology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Andrei Costache
- PhD Student, Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Iulian Alin Silviu Popescu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Viorel Biciuşcă
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Cristina Jana Busuioc
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Adina Mariana Ghemigian
- Department of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sandru F, Dumitrascu MC, Petca A, Carsote M, Petca RC, Ghemigian A. Melanoma in patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 23:75. [PMID: 34934446 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a cancer-prone, autosomal dominant syndrome caused by underlying germline gene mutations of TP53, a tumor-suppressor gene encoding the p53 protein with a major role in apoptosis, DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. Cumulative cancer incidence for LFS patients by the age of 70 years is 80-100%, mostly involving adrenocortical carcinoma, brain tumors, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, leukemia and female breast cancer from the age of 20 years. Dominant negative TP53 variant is correlated with an increased tumorigenesis risk in LFS. Sporadic TP53 mutations are related to almost half of global cancers since p53 in addition to p73 protein represent essential players in anticancer cellular protection. Epidemiological aspects concerning skin cancers, especially malignant melanoma (MM), in LFS are less clear. A low level of statistical evidence demonstrates LFS cases with pediatric MM, multiple MM, spitzoid MM, atypical presentations, mucosal and uveal MM. Retrospective cohorts indicate a higher cumulative risk than the general population by the age of 70 years for MM and basal cell carcinoma. Non-syndromic and syndromic TP53 mutations are a major pathway of metastasis, including MM. In LHS, an important level of awareness involves skin cancers despite not being a part of the typical malignancy-containing picture. Additional data are crucially needed. However, at least one dermatologic control is a step in the multidisciplinary panel of surveillance of these patients; but in cases with benign and pre-malign pigmentations, serial dermatoscopy and full body photography are recommended for early melanoma detection in order to improve the prognosis and to reduce the overall malignancy burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florica Sandru
- Department of Dermatology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Dermatology, 'Elias' Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai Cristian Dumitrascu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aida Petca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Elias' Emergency Hospital, 022461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mara Carsote
- Department of Endocrinology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Endocrinology, 'C. I. Parhon' National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan-Cosmin Petca
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, 'Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele' Clinical Hospital, 061344 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adina Ghemigian
- Department of Endocrinology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Endocrinology, 'C. I. Parhon' National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sandru F, Dumitrascu MC, Petca A, Carsote M, Petca RC, Oproiu AM, Ghemigian A. Adrenal ganglioneuroma: Prognostic factors (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1338. [PMID: 34630692 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ganglioneuroma, a rare neural crest-derived tumor, exhibits a benign profile in contrast to other neuroblastic tumors (neuroblastoma/ganglioneuroblastoma). Ganglioneuromas can be found anywhere autonomic ganglia are located, mostly abdominal/pelvic sites followed by the adrenal glands (one-third of cases), mediastinum/thorax and cervical area. Affecting especially children more than 10 years of age, Ganglioneuroma is either asymptomatic or may cause local compressive effects; rarely inducing nonspecific abdominal complains or arterial hypertension related to oversecretion of epinephrine/norepinephrine/dopamine. Despite a good prognosis, adrenalectomy is necessary in order to rule out a malignancy. Open procedure represents the standard therapeutic option; alternatively, centers with large laparoscopic pediatric experience and good stratification protocols have reported successful procedures. High uptake of I123-MIBG is associated with a more severe outcome in cases with increased mitotic index. In neuroblastic tumors, neuron-specific enolase >33 ng/ml, age at diagnosis <49 months, and blood vessel invasion indicate a poor prognosis. Concurrent extra-adrenal/adrenal ganglioneuroma is associated with a more severe prognosis; post-surgical complications are more frequent in non-adrenal vs. adrenal ganglioneuroma. Exceptionally, immune-mediated paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes have been reported: anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis and opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. ROHHAD syndrome is the underlying cause in 40-56% of cases of neuroendocrine tumors including ganglioneuroma; 70% of tumors are diagnosed within the first 24 months after hypothalamic obesity onset, associated with a severe prognosis due to hypoventilation, sleep apnea, and dysautonomia. Recently, the PKB/AKT/mTOR/S6 pathway was identified as a tumorigenic pathway in pediatric ganglioneuroma, not in neuroblastoma; mTOR inhibitors are a potential option for pre-operatory tumor shrinkage. Pediatric adrenal ganglioneuroma has a good prognosis if adequately treated; its recognition requires adrenalectomy. Further development of specific biomarkers is needed. In the present article, we aimed to introduce a review of the literature involving adrenal ganglioneuroma based on a practical, multidisciplinary perspective of prognostic factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florica Sandru
- Department of Dermatology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Dermatology, 'Elias' Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai Cristian Dumitrascu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aida Petca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Elias' Emergency Hospital, 022461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mara Carsote
- Department of Endocrinology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Endocrinology, 'C. I. Parhon' National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan-Cosmin Petca
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, 'Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele' Clinical Hospital, 061344 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Oproiu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adina Ghemigian
- Department of Endocrinology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Endocrinology, 'C. I. Parhon' National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cystic neuroblastoma with liver metastasis. EGYPTIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/01.elx.0000530580.30014.5c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|