Addison's disease caused by adrenal tuberculosis may lead to misdiagnosis of major depressive disorder: A case report

BACKGROUND Addison’s disease(AD)is a rare but potentially fatal disease in Western countries,which can easily be misdiagnosed at an early stage.Severe adrenal tuberculosis(TB)may lead to depression in patients.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of primary adrenal insufficiency secondary to adrenal TB with TB in the lungs and skin in a 48-year-old woman.The patient was misdiagnosed with depression because of her depressed mood.She had hyperpigmentation of the skin,nails,mouth,and lips.The final diagnosis was adrenal TB that resulted in the insufficient secretion of adrenocortical hormone.Adrenocortical hormone test,skin biopsy,T cell spot test of TB,and adrenal computed tomography scan were used to confirm the diagnosis.The patient’s condition improved after hormone replacement therapy and TB treatment.CONCLUSION Given the current status of TB in high-burden countries,outpatient doctors should be aware of and pay attention to TB and understand the early symptoms of AD.

Bilateral adrenal histoplasmosis in a Malaysian tertiary hospital:Report of four cases

Rationale:Adrenal histoplasmosis can present as bilateral adrenal enlargement with constitutional symptoms and/or adrenal insufficiency.Often these patients are initially investigated as secondary adrenal metastases before eventually their diagnosis established by histopathological examination of the adrenal tissues.Patients concerns:We report 4 cases of patients aged 55-78 who presented with hypocortisolism and bilateral adrenal masses.Diagnoses:Bilateral adrenal histoplasmosis.Interventions:Three patients received antifungal treatment for at least one year while 1 patient passed away before the initiation of antifungal treatment.Outcomes:Two patients’adrenal function recovered not requiring any steroid replacement,while 1 patient still requires long-term steroid replacement.Lessons:Adrenal histoplasmosis should be excluded in patients from endemic areas presenting with bilateral adrenal masses and adrenal insufficiency.Usually patients have an exposure to bird droppings,bat guano or soil contaminated with histoplasmosis fungi.Histopathological examination of biopsied adrenal tissues is still the gold standard investigation as serology and molecular diagnostic methods are still not widely available in most centers in Malaysia.

Human-like adrenal features in Chinese tree shrews revealed by multi-omics analysis of adrenal cell populations and steroid synthesis

The Chinese tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)has emerged as a promising model for investigating adrenal steroid synthesis,but it is unclear whether the same cells produce steroid hormones and whether their production is regulated in the same way as in humans.Here,we comprehensively mapped the cell types and pathways of steroid metabolism in the adrenal gland of Chinese tree shrews using single-cell RNA sequencing,spatial transcriptome analysis,mass spectrometry,and immunohistochemistry.We compared the transcriptomes of various adrenal cell types across tree shrews,humans,macaques,and mice.Results showed that tree shrew adrenal glands expressed many of the same key enzymes for steroid synthesis as humans,including CYP11B2,CYP11B1,CYB5A,and CHGA.Biochemical analysis confirmed the production of aldosterone,cortisol,and dehydroepiandrosterone but not dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the tree shrew adrenal glands.Furthermore,genes in adrenal cell types in tree shrews were correlated with genetic risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome,primary aldosteronism,hypertension,and related disorders in humans based on genome-wide association studies.Overall,this study suggests that the adrenal glands of Chinese tree shrews may consist of closely related cell populations with functional similarity to those of the human adrenal gland.Our comprehensive results(publicly available at http://gxmujyzmolab.cn:16245/scAGMap/)should facilitate the advancement of this animal model for the investigation of adrenal gland disorders.

Initial experience with robot-assisted adrenalectomy for giant adrenal tumors

Dear Editor,Adrenocortical carcinomas and adrenal cysts,including pseudocysts,are uncommon tumors[1,2].No consistent approach to surgery for large adrenal tumors including cysts,has been established,and especially when malignancy is suspected,consideration is still given to the option of laparotomy.Using robot-assisted surgery,we successfully performed the resection of a giant adrenal pseudocyst and a giant adrenocortical carcinoma,as reported previously[3],underlining the advantages of robot-assisted surgery for large adrenal tumors.

Sepsis-associated liver injury:Mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

In this editorial,we examined a recent article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology that focused on sepsis-associated liver injury(SLI)and its treatment.SLI is a serious complication of sepsis,primarily caused by microcirculatory disturbances,the gut-liver axis,and inflammatory responses.Specific treatment recommendations for SLI are lacking.The gut-liver axis represents a potential therapeutic target,with metformin showing promise in modulating the gut microbiome and enhancing intestinal barrier function.Although immunomodulatory therapies are being explored,anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists have not demonstrated significant clinical benefits.Statins may reduce liver inflammation and prevent injury in sepsis,but their clinical application is limited.Reduced D-related human leucocyte antigen expression on monocytes and lymphocytes suggests immune suppression in patients,indicating that corticosteroids could reverse clinical deterioration in severe infections and address adrenal cortical insufficiency.Current large-scale studies on glucocorticoid therapy for sepsis have yielded mixed results,likely due to inadequate assessment of the immune status of the host.Future research should prioritize the development of personalized immunotherapy tailored to patients’immune profiles,focusing on identifying novel indicators of immune status and advancing immunomodulatory targets and therapeutics for septic patients.

Occult Adrenal Insufficiency in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

Background: Addison’s disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal cortex that leads to inadequate production of cortisol initially followed by aldosterone and androgens. Its manifestations are usually slow and non-specific with potential for life-threatening adrenal crisis following hypermetabolic demands (infection, trauma, surgery). Patients: Over the past 10 years, 19 CRD-patients were diagnosed with occult PAI in our center. Results: Unprovoked hypotension was the most common manifestations of occult PAI and was the unmasking event in 11 (58%). It was without significant cardiac and/or severe systemic sepsis and was refractory to isotonic saline infusions. Equal number of the remaining patients (n = 2) presented with persistent and inexplicable electrolytes abnormalities viz. 1) hyponatremia despite restricted oral fluid intake, lack of dehydration and massive fluid overload, as well as 2) hyperkalemia despite potassium-restricted diet, hyperkalemic drugs and adequate therapy with Furosemide and low-potassium dialysis-baths. On the other hand, similar proportions presented with unprovoked 3) progressive weight loss, decrease appetite and cachexia as well as 4) frequent hypoglycemic attacks. All patients were treated and were medically stable after 29 (2 - 60) months of follow up. Autoantibodies to 21-hydroxylase enzyme were positive in 16 (90%). At diagnosis, and subsequent follow up, only 7 patients (37%) had multi-endocrine dysfunction of whom 2 with type 1 and 5 with type 2. Conclusion: High index of suspicion should be exerted in diagnosis of PAI in patients with CRD, since its clinical picture is similar to CRD manifestations and complications. In those patients, confirmatory tests and specific management can save their lives. .

Neonatal Anemia Revealing an Adrenal Hemorrhage

Adrenal hematoma is a rare condition with highly variable clinical manifestations, ranging from completely asymptomatic cases to specific signs. Abdominal ultrasound is the key examination for diagnosing and monitoring neonates. We present a case of adrenal hematoma diagnosed following neonatal anemia.

Clinical,Biochemical,and Radiological Retrospective Analysis in Patients with Adrenal Incidentaloma-A Secondary Publication

Objective:To evaluate the epidemiological,demographic,clinical features,treatment approaches,and survival of patients followed up for adrenal incidentaloma.Methods:Data from 46 patients who were treated and followed up due to adrenal incidentaloma in the Endocrinology Department of Mersin University Health Research and Application Hospital between 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Of the cases included in the study,13 were male,33 were female,and the mean age was 54.09±10.7 years.The most common reason for admission was abdominal pain in 34.78%of the patients,the most commonly diagnosed radiological method was dynamic adrenal CT in 60.87%,and the most common location was the left adrenal gland.The mean lesion diameter was between 26.8±16.5 mm.The frequency of hypertension was 50%,obesity 47.8%,type 2 diabetes 21.7%,osteoporosis 42.8%,and metabolic syndrome 41.3%.According to hormonal evaluation results,non-functional adrenal adenoma(NFAA)was found in 82.61%,subclinical Cushing’s syndrome(SCS)in 15.21%,and aldosteronoma in 2.1%.Myelolipoma,pheochromocytoma,and adrenocortical adenoma were diagnosed in 8 cases undergoing adrenalectomy.One patient died due to liver failure.No hormonal activation or growth in lesion size was detected during the follow-up of the patients.Conclusion:Due to the very different pathological and radiological appearances of adrenal incidentaloma,it is important to evaluate demographic,etiological,clinical,laboratory,and radiological data as a whole in the treatment and follow-up.

Overview of Adrenals Tumors in Dakar Hospitals

Introduction: Adrenal tumours (AT) are commonly encountered in clinical practice. For any patient presenting an adrenal mass, there are two crucial points to consider: is the adrenal mass malignant and is it hormonally active? The objective of our study was to evaluate the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects of AT in a developing country. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study spanning 17 years (from January 2005 to October 2022) in four Dakar hospital services. We included all patient medical records with explored AT. Results: AT was diagnosed in 35 patients who had a mean age of 36.62 years (range: 12-79), and a female predominance (26 women to 9 men). Among these patients, 17.2 % had incidental AT. Hypertension was the commonest presenting symptom in 27 patients (77%), which was associated with Mnards triad in 14 patients (40%). Abdominal pain was reported by 20 patients (57%), and 14 presented with an abdominal mass. Among the patients, 29 had functional AT: 22 with pheochromocytoma, 5 with primary hyperaldosteronism, and 2 with hypercortisolism. Imaging evaluations revealed that 33 patients had unilateral AT and one had bilateral AT. Tumour sizes varied, 5 patients had tumours 10 cm. Two patients presented with metastases. The therapeutic approach involved adrenalectomy in 32 patients. Perioperative complications were observed in five patients, including haemorrhage (two patients), hypotension (two cases), and hypertensive crisis (one case). One patient with bilateral pheochromocytoma developed acute adrenal insufficiency postoperatively, followed by abdominal herniation. Histopathological examination confirmed pheochromocytoma in 21 patients, Conns adenoma in 5, adrenocortical carcinoma in 3, cortisol adenoma in 2, and adrenal cyst in 1 patient. Non-functional AT included adrenocortical carcinoma (three patients), adrenal cyst (one patient), and pheochromocytoma (two patients). After a one-year follow-up, 29 patients with benign tumours had favourable outcomes, while death occurred within six months of diagnosis in five cases. A patient who had bilateral pheochromocytomas, with complications, died before surgery. Conclusion: In our practice, AT are predominantly pheochromocytomas, being typically diagnosed when they become symptomatic large tumours and, due to this large size, laparotomy is the preferred surgical approach. Unfortunately, the prognosis for malignant tumours is poor.

Diagnosis of CAH in a Sub Saharan Country: Visible Part of Iceberg

Introduction :Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency. It is a rare monogenic recessive disorder. In African setting in absence of neonatal screening, the diagnosis is still late, based on a clinical approach. During this clinical enquiry, information from past history or pedigree of the patient is of a huge importance and may revealed surprises. Patients and Methods: In this observational study, we retrospectively included all patients with a diagnosis of CAH. The diagnosis of CAH was retained based on a high 17 hydroxyprogesterone level in addition to clinical and morphological findings. From patients’ files, we extracted data on family history of disease, pedigree, clinical findings and genetics when available of 39 patients from two endocrinopeadiatric centers. Results: In 13 (30%) families, we found 20 reported deaths of infant less than 12 months. In these 13 families, half of the patients followed had 21 hydroxylase deficiencies and had 11 hydroxylase deficiencies. Unsurprisingly, we suspected adrenal insufficiency in these patients at verbal autopsy even in families with a patient with 11 hydroxylase deficiency. Other non DSD malformations or genetic disorders with apparently no link with CAH were reported in 3 families. The father of a patient reported to have hypospadias. Conclusion: Each diagnosis of CAH made in our context is visible part of an iceberg. Behind a diagnosis of CAH made in our setting, is a long course of care, a dramatic past history revealing access to appropriate care disparity. Neonatal screening should thus be considered as an emergency.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Virilizing and Fem- inizing Adrenal Syndrome

Objective: To inquire into diagnosis, and treatment of virilizing andfeminizing a-drenal syndrome, differential diagnosis between benign and malignant sex hormoneproducing adrenal neo-plasma and, treatment principles of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).Methods: Eight cases of CAH and 5 cases of sex hormone producing adrenal neoplasma were admitted tohospital during 1986-1996. The former included 3 rare cases of 17 a hydroxylase deficiency. Thelatter included 3 cases of feminizing adrenal tumor and 2 cases of virilizing adrenal tumor.Results: Weight, size and CT of the tumor, DHEA, 17 -ks, sex hormone levels, infiltration, andmetastasis were closely related to the degree of differentiation of the tumors. Conclusion:Virilizing and feminizing adrenal neoplasm were removed surgically by different incisions. Modifiedsubcostal incision was recommended as the best choice for huge adrenal mass. Corticoadrenal hormonetreatment fa CAH should be individualized according to the different types of the disease. Sexhormones were not suitable for children suffering from 17 hydroxylase deficiency before puberty.

鼻用皮质类固醇的临床选择

鼻用皮质类固醇是治疗鼻部炎症的常用药物。本文系统介绍了药物的代谢过程、化学结构、分子作用机制,对比了不同药物的药理学指标和临床应用指标,为临床选择提出指导性建议。

不典型Ramsay-Hunt综合征1例

Ramsay-Hunt综合征是1907年Ramsay Hunt提出的由面神经膝状神经节炎引起的面瘫、耳部疱疹和耳痛三联征,面神经受侵犯最常见,也可侵犯III～XII脑神经,迷走神经受损报道较少。本文就作者诊治的1例进行分析，以提高对本症的认识。

鼓室注射曲安奈德治疗突发性聋疗效分析

突发性聋（sudden deafness,SD）是一种病因复杂且不完全清楚的感音神经性聋,在数小时或几天内听力下降至最低点,发病率很高,是耳科急症之一。SD的治疗方法较多,类固醇激素的治疗作用已经得到认可,基本上成为一种常规用药。我科对45耳患者应用鼓室注射曲安奈德治疗突发性聋,取得良好效果。

肾上腺皮质黑色腺瘤1例报道

1病例简介肾上腺黑色腺瘤(adrenal black adenoma)又称色素性肾上腺皮质腺瘤(pigmented adrenocortical adenoma),属于一种罕见的肾上腺良性肿瘤[1]。因其细胞内含大量脂褐素或黑色素颗粒,肉眼多呈黑色或褐色,临床上常称其为黑色腺瘤。国内外文献报道的仅10余例。我科近期收治表现为库欣综合征的肾上腺黑色腺瘤患者1例,并行腹腔镜肾上腺切除术,手术效果良好。现分析其临床资料报告如下。1病例简介患者,女,60岁,因"发现高血压10年余,查体发现左侧肾上腺腺瘤2天"入院。平素血压最高可至160/100mmHg,不伴夜尿增多。

小儿肾上腺神经母细胞瘤及瘤旁组织的蛋白质组学分析

In order to explore the molecular mechanisms of children adrenal neuroblastoma,and screen biomarkers for early diagnosis of this disease,the comparative proteomics were done in this report.The total proteins in children adrenal neuroblastoma and adrenal control tissues were extracted separately and then separated by 2-DE individually.The protein spots were identified eventually by UPLC-HD-MS.In this research,18 difference proteins including stathmin 1 were found.

新生儿脐血17-α羟孕酮固相放射免疫测定研究

人血清17α羟孕酮（17α-hydroxyp-rogesterone,17α-OHP）是先天性肾上腺皮质增生症（congenital adrenal hy-perplasia,CAH）的诊断及筛查指标之一。由于血清中17α-OHP的含量甚微,一般需要高效液相色谱法（HPLC）测定,但因其要求高而不能用于临床。高灵敏、高特异的放射免疫测定（radio-immunoassay,RIA）是现代先进的体外超微量分析方法之一。固相放射免疫测定（solid phase radioimmunoassay,SPRIA）因无需离心分离,故比普通的RI-

Histological Study on the Adrenal Gland of Zebra

In order to explore the histological structure of zebra and to protect en- dangered species diversity, it is especially important to study the zebra adrenal his- tological structure. 2 zebra adrenals were studied by means of histological methods. The adrenal gland tissues were dissected into serial paraffin sections at the thick- ness of 3 μm. After HE and Masson staining, they were observed and photographed by the light microscope and Image-Pro Plus 6.0. The results show that zebra adrenal capsule is covered with thick connective tissue, which is about 230 μm. A large number of nerves and blood vessels are distributed in the capsule. The area of cortex is about 5 times larger than medullae. Zona glomerulosa is thin, about 300？m. The cells were arranged as column and ball. Zona fasciculata with the thickness of 1 750 μm is 6 times as thick as zona glomerulosa. The cells were ar- ranged in cord. Zona reticular with the thickness of 250 wm was closely adjacent to medulla and formed a jagged boundary. The medulla with the area of 4 mm2 was deeply dyed. It was concluded that some sympathetic ganglion cells were found in the medulla arranged in groups and surrounded with zona reticular cells but lots of the cells were found in zona reticular. Some connective tissue with chromaffin cells was found in the medulla center vein. The purpose of the present study provides reliable evidences for further study on morphology, physiology and pathology of the zebra.

两种激素鼓室灌注治疗重度以上突发性聋的疗效观察

近年来,越来越多的研究聚焦于鼓室内灌注激素治疗突发性聋（sudden deafness,SD）。2010年1月~2013年3月我科对99例重度以上SD患者分别给予全身或鼓室内注射激素治疗,现将治疗结果报道如下。

Fatty Acids and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Rett Syndrome Conundrum

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are epidemically explosive clinical entities, but their pathogenesis is still unclear and a definitive cure does not yet exist. Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare genetically determined cause of autism linked to mutations in the X-linked MeCP2 gene or, more rarely, in CDKL5 or FOXG1. A wide phenotypical heterogeneity is a known feature of the disease. Although several studies have focused on the molecular genetics and possible protein changes at different levels, to date very little attention has been paid to fatty acids in this disease, which could be considered as a natural paradigm for the ASDs. To this regard, a quite enigmatic feature of the disease is the evidence in the affected patients of an extensive peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic acid, AA, docosaexahenoic acid, DHA, adrenic acid, AdA and, to a lesser extent, eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), in contrast with amelioration of the redox changes and phenotypical severity following the supplementation of some of those same fatty acids (DHA + EPA). Therefore, fatty acids may represent a kind of Janus Bifrons in the particular context of RTT. Here, we propose a rational explanation for this apparent “fatty acid paradox” in RTT. A better understanding of this paradox could also be of help to get a better insight into the complex mechanism of action for polyunsaturated fatty acids in health and disease.