Dipti Sarma

Hypomagnesemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Hypomagnesemia is reported in type 2 diabetes; magnesium deficiency may play a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and altered insulin function. Objective: To assess the incidence of hypomagnesemia among noncritically ill patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and to evaluate the relation of hypomagnesemia to glycemic control and various long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty, noncritically ill (APACHE score < 10) type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, who were admitted in the Departments of Medicine and Endocrinology, GMCH for uncontrolled hyperglycemia and/or various diabetic complications were studied. Serum magnesium was assessed at admission and rechecked in those found to be deficient. Results: Hypomagnesemia (Se magnesium < 1.6 mg/dl) was documented in 17 (11.33%) patients with a female:male ratio of 9:8. Mean HbA1c was 11.9% in the hypomagnesemic patients compared with 9.8% in controls (P =0.0016). Retinopathy, microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, foot ulceration, and neuropathy was present in 64%, 47%, 17.64%, 58.8%, and 82.35%, respectively, of the patients with hypomagnesemia as compared with 45.8% (P =0.118), 38.34% (P =0.704),15.03% (P =0.566), 22.55% (P =0.011) and 82.7% (P =0.976) without hypomagnesemia. Coronary artery disease was less common in the hypomagnesemia group (17.6% vs 39%), but comparable in the subgroup < 50 years (27% vs 25%) (P =0.796). Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia in diabetes was associated with poorer glycemic control, retinopathy, nephropathy, and foot ulcers.

Dual Ectopic Thyroid with Normally Located Thyroid: A Case Report

Dual ectopic thyroid is a rare presentation of thyroid ectopia. Only a few cases have been reported in the world literature. Dual ectopic thyroid in the presence of a normally located thyroid is even rarer. We report a case of dual ectopic thyroid in the lingual and submandibular areas in a seventeen-year-old female with hypoplastic thyroid gland in its normal location. The patient presented with a midline swelling at the base of tongue with dysphagia. Thyroid function test revealed primary hypothyroidism. Ultrasonography of the neck showed hypoplastic thyroid in its normal location. A thyroid scan with Technetium-99 m pertechnate showed two intensely hyperfunctioning foci of ectopic thyroid tissue at a higher level in the midline consistent with dual ectopic thyroid, one at the base of tongue and the other in submental region. No uptake was seen in the normal bed.

Diabetic myonecrosis: An underreported complication of diabetes mellitus

Diabetic myonecrosis is an underreported complication of long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus which is usually self-limiting and responds well to conservative management. Patients frequently have microvascular complications, and although short-term prognosis is good, the long-term prognosis is poor. We report four cases of diabetic myonecrosis admitted in a tertiary care hospital.

Empty sella syndrome - beyond being an incidental finding

Introduction: Empty sella is characterized by the herniation of the subarachnoid space within the sella, which is often associated with some degree of flattening of the pituitary gland. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and hormonal profile in patients with empty sella. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and hormonal profile of the patients with an empty sella. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing a CT/MRI at our center, for various reasons but with the finding of the empty sella were included in this study. A detailed history and clinical examination was done. Apart from routine tests, hormonal evaluation included serum thyroid stimulating hormone, T4, cortisol (8 am), prolactin, total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, leutinizing hormone, and fasting Insulin like Growth factor 1 (IGF 1) were done. Results: A total of 34 patients, diagnosed radiologically to have empty sella, were evaluated and of them 24 had primary empty sella (PES) and 10 had secondary empty sella (SES). In subjects with PES, 12 out of 24 (50%) had endocrine dysfunction. The most common endocrine dysfunction noted was hyperprolactinemia, which was seen in 5 (20.8%) patients and the most common hormonal deficiency was isolated GH deficiency seen in four patients (12.5%). Conclusion: The high incidence of endocrine abnormalities in patients with PES mandates that these patients should routinely be subjected to endocrine evaluation to detect these deficiencies early, and appropriate replacement instituted where necessary, thus ensuring them of a better quality of life.

Status of 25(OH)D levels in pregnancy: A study from the North Eastern part of India.

Introduction: An increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported from across the globe including India. Various studies have shown an intrinsic relation between various parameters of maternal and fetal wellbeing with maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy. Aims: To look for any association of vitamin D status during pregnancy with the modifiable factors – extent of sun exposure, sunscreen use, vegetarian diet, dietary calcium intake, and multivitamin supplementation. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 pregnant females, aged 20–40 years were studied during the first trimester of pregnancy. Fifty age and body mass index (BMI) matched females were taken as controls. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by radioimmunoassay (Diasorin). Result: Forty-two percent of the cases were found to have vitamin D deficiency and 14% were found to have vitamin D insufficiency, whereas 20% of the controls had vitamin D deficiency and 24% had vitamin D insufficiency (P =0.0375). There was a significant association of 25(OH)D levels with extent of sun exposure, sunscreen use, and vegetarian diet. There was no association of 25(OH)D levels with multivitamin supplementation or dietary calcium intake. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was less in our study group as compared with that reported in other Indian studies. Sun exposure, sunscreen use, and vegetarian diet are important modifiable variables significantly associated with vitamin D status in pregnancy.

Agenesis of Dorsal Pancreas Associated with Periampullary Pancreaticobiliary Type Adenocarcinoma

CONTEXT Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is one of the rare congenital malformations of pancreas. The association of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with pancreatic tumors is extremely rare and only around 9 cases being reported till date. CASE REPORT We report a case of a fifty one year old woman with an agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with periampullary pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinoma. She presented with features of obstructive jaundice without pain abdomen or fever. Laboratory data showed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, raised alkaline phosphatase and impaired glucose tolerance. Ultrasound abdomen showed periampullary mass. MRI abdomen and MRCP demonstrated dorsal agenesis of the pancreas, dilated intra and extra hepatic bile ducts with narrowing of distal CBD with periampullary mass. Pancreatic tumor was considered as preoperative diagnosis, and pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathology confirmed pancreaticobiliary type of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION A rare case of dorsal agenesis of the pancreas with periampullary pancreaticobiliary type of adenocarcinoma was presented. Therefore this case therefore merits reference as a rare clinical presentation.

Gonadal function in young adult males with metabolic syndrome.

AIMS Aim of the study was to assess the gonadal function of young adult males with metabolic syndrome and to compare them with healthy age matched controls. METHODS Forty young male subjects of age group 20-40 years who fulfilled the IDF criteria (2005) for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome were included in the study. Thorough evaluation of the subjects was done and history of sexual dysfunction if any was noted. Pooled blood samples were collected from each subject in fasting state for total testosterone, SHBG, FSH, LH, prolactin and insulin levels. All hormonal analyses were done by radio immune assay (RIA). Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone less than 3ng/ml. Eighteen healthy age matched controls were also taken for the study. RESULTS Twenty percent of subjects with metabolic syndrome had eugonadotropic hypogonadism compared to 5.5% controls. Subjects with metabolic syndrome also had significantly lower SHBG level compared to the controls. CONCLUSION From this study it has been observed that eugonadotropic hypogonadism with low total testosterone and normal or low normal gonadotropin levels may be a feature of the metabolic syndrome in young adult males. Significant low SHBG levels as compared to controls could be one of the factors responsible for various biochemical alteration seen in these cases. This study highlights the importance of evaluating gonadal function in young adult males with the metabolic syndrome and has therapeutic implications in the management of such subjects with gonadal dysfunction.

Contemporary issues in primary amenorrhea: An experience from a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction: Amenorrhea is classified as primary if menstrual bleeding has never occurred in the absence of hormonal treatment. The clinical significance of a lack of regular menstrual cycles extends beyond reproductive concerns. Episodes of amenorrhea as short as 90 day may have implications for bone and cardiovascular health. Aims and Objective: To evaluate all patients presenting with primary amenorrhea in the Endocrinology OPD of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 patients presenting to the Endocrinology OPD from March 2010 to May 2012 with a history of primary amenorrhea were included in the study. All patients were subjected to a detailed history, a thorough clinical examination, and relevant biochemical, hormonal, and radiological investigations. Result: In our study, the average age of presentation was 17.23 ± 4.2 years. Out of the 14 patients presenting with primary amenorrhea, 5 patients (35.71%) were found to have Turner′s syndrome, 2 (14.28%) had XX (pure) gonadal dysgenesis, 2 (14.28%) patients had XY gonadal dysgenesis (Swyer syndrome), 2 (14.28%) patients had Müllerian agenesis, 2 (14.28%) patients had hypothalamic amenorrhea, and 1 (7.14%) patient was found to have multiple pituitary hormone deficiency. Conclusion: In concordance with other studies, Turner′s syndrome, Müllerian agenesis, and gonadal dysgenesis are the commonest causes of primary amenorrhea in our study. However, in contrast to certain Western reports, primary amenorrhea rather than short stature remains the commonest cause for seeking medical evaluation in patients with Turner′s syndrome.

Selenium and the thyroid: A close-knit connection

Introduction: In areas with severe selenium deficiency higher incidence of thyroiditis has been reported due to a decreased activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase enzyme within thyroid cells. Aims and Objective: To study the effect of selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Materials and Methods: This is a blinded placebo-controlled prospective study done in 60 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (as defined by an anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) level more than 150 IU/ml) irrespective of the baseline thyroid status. Patients with overt hyperthyroidism who are on antithyroid drugs, patients on any other medication, which may alter the immunity status of the patients, and pregnant patients were excluded from the study. Patients were randomized into two age and TPOAb-matched groups; 30 patients received 200 μg of sodium selenite/day, orally, for 3 months, and 30 patients received placebo. All hypothyroid patients were given l-thyroxine replacement. Results: Of 30 patients in the selenium treated group, 6 patients were overtly hypothyroid, 15 were subclinical hypothyroid, 6 were euthyroid, and 3 were subclinical hyperthyroid. The mean TPOAb concentration decreased significantly by 49.5% (P < 0.013) in the selenium treated group versus 10.1% (P < 0.95) in the placebo-treated group. Conclusion: Selenium substitution has a significant impact on inflammatory activity in thyroid-specific autoimmune disease. It would be of interest to determine whether early treatment with selenium in patients with newly developed autoimmune thyroiditis may delay or even prevent the natural course of these diseases.

Enlarged hands and feet - Not always acromegaly

Pachydermoperiostosis maybe mistaken for acromegaly as it can present with progressive enlargement of hands and feet. We describe a 32 year old male with enlargement of hands and feet and extensive keloid formation. Family history was positive for similar complaints. X ray imaging showed normal heel pad thickness with acroosteolysis and subperiosteal new bone formation in hands and feet. IGF-1 was normal and glucose suppressed GH values were normal.