Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes.

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a unique form of diabetes reported from tropical countries, associated with both endocrine and exocrine disease of the pancreas. The pre-diabetic phase of the disease is called tropical chronic pancreatitis (TCP). Currently FCPD is classified as a secondary form of diabetes called pancreatic diabetes, because essentially the disease is caused by pancreatic damage. There is an overlap of these subjects with idiopathic, non-alcoholic pancreatitis. This review will cover the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of this clinical condition. FCPD could lead to endocrine dysfunction (diabetes and its complications) as well as exocrine dysfunction, and is associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, for which early detection is important.

Oncogenic osteomalacia from nasal cavity giant cell tumor.

BACKGROUND: Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by osteomalacia, which occurs as a result of excess renal phosphate excretion caused by fibroblast growth factor-23 secreted by mesenchymal tumors. This entity is rare in head and neck cancers. We report a rare case of oncogenic osteomalacia in a patient with an anterior skull base giant cell tumor. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 34-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of progressive weakness in both lower limbs and the trunk. Hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia had been noted by a local physician, but her symptoms persisted despite receiving calcium and vitamin D supplements. A recent onset of epistaxis and nasal blockage led to referral to the head and neck services. Nasal endoscopy revealed a left nasal cavity mass. Further evaluation with imaging studies revealed a mass in the nasal cavity with intracranial extension. Biopsy of the lesion suggested a neurogenic tumor. A putative diagnosis of anterior skull base neurogenic tumor with paraneoplastic hypophosphatemia was made. After the biochemical parameters were corrected, the patient underwent craniofacial resection. The final histopathologic study suggested the lesion as a "giant cell tumor." During the postoperative period the patient's biochemical and clinical symptoms improved dramatically, allowing her to regain normal mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and pathologists must be aware of the clinical symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, and pathologic features of oncogenic osteomalacia, which may be caused by tumors in the head and neck and thus make an exhaustive effort to diagnose the same.

Thyroid disorders in India: An epidemiological perspective.

Thyroid diseases are common worldwide. In India too, there is a significant burden of thyroid diseases. According to a projection from various studies on thyroid disease, it has been estimated that about 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid diseases. This review will focus on the epidemiology of five common thyroid diseases in India: (1) hypothyroidism, (2) hyperthyroidism, (3) goiter and iodine deficiency disorders, (4) Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and (5) thyroid cancer. This review will also briefly cover the exciting work that is in progress to ascertain the normal reference range of thyroid hormones in India, especially in pregnancy and children.

Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India.

CONTEXT: Chronic pancreatitis is common in India. However, its risk factors are not clear. There is sparse data on the current prevalence of tropical pancreatitis in India. OBJECTIVE: To undertake a prospective nationwide study of the risk factors and clinical profile of chronic pancreatitis. SETTING: Thirty-two major centers from different regions of India contributed data on 1,086 patients to a common online website (www.ipans.org). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors, clinical features complications and treatment of chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: Of the 1,086 subjects, complete data on risk factors were available for 1,033 subjects. Idiopathic pancreatitis was the most common form of pancreatitis (n=622; 60.2%) and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis accounted for about a third of the cases (n=400; 38.7%); the rest (n=11; 1.1%) had rare risk factors. Smoking and cassava intake were documented in 292 (28.3%) and 189 (18.3%) subjects, respectively. Using well-defined criteria, only 39 (3.8%)cases could be labeled as 'tropical pancreatitis'. Pain occurred in 971 patients (94.0%). Four hundred and eighteen (40.5%) subjects had diabetes mellitus. Of alcohol consumers, alcoholism and female gender were independent risk factors for diabetes in subjects with chronic pancreatitis (OR=1.48, P=0.003; and OR=1.75, P<0.001, respectively). The most common complications were pseudocysts (15.8%) and biliary obstruction (8.2%). Pancreatic cancer occurred in 42 subjects (4.1%). Ultrasound detected calculi in 69.7%, ductal dilatation in 63.4% and atrophy in 27.3%. The majority of patients were on medical therapy (n=849; 82.2%); endotherapy and surgery accounted for the rest. About 50% percent of the patients with diabetes required insulin (198/418). CONCLUSIONS: In this first nationwide prospective survey of chronic pancreatitis in India, idiopathic pancreatitis was the most common form, followed by alcoholic pancreatitis. The classical form of tropical chronic pancreatitis is becoming less common.

Tropical chronic pancreatitis and peripheral vascular disease. A case report.

CONTEXT: It is well-known that subjects with diabetes resulting from tropical chronic pancreatitis are prone to diabetic microvascular complications (neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy). However, macrovascular complications (coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vessel disease) are rare, as these subjects are younger, leaner and have lower cholesterol levels. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 51-year-old male who had tropical chronic pancreatitis, diabetes and severe peripheral vessel disease with gangrene. He was lean, had borderline lipid levels and was normotensive. His ECG was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral vascular disease can occur in these diabetic subjects, even without additional risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease. All subjects with tropical chronic pancreatitis and diabetes should have a complete foot examination once a year, in addition to screening for other vascular complications.