Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) are life-threatening acute metabolic complications of diabetes mellitus. Although there are some important differences, the pathophysiology, the presenting clinical challenge, and the treatment of these metabolic derangements are similar. Each of these complications can be seen in type 1 or type 2 diabetes, although DKA is usually seen in patients with type 1 diabetes and HHNS in patients with type 2 disease. The clinical management of these syndromes involves careful evaluation and correction of the metabolic and volume status of the patient, identification and treatment of precipitating and comorbid conditions, a smooth transition to a long-term treatment regimen, and a plan to prevent recurrence.

Intrasellar gangliocytoma and syndromes of pituitary hypersecretion. Case report.

Syndromes of hypersecretion of pituitary hormone and sellar enlargement may on occasion be caused by a gangliocytoma instead of a pituitary adenoma. At least some of these rare tumors are apparently independent of and separable from the pituitary gland, its stalk, and the hypothalamus, and are therefore surgically removable without incurring further endocrine deficit. The authors report such a case, with successful removal of the tumor via a frontal craniotomy. The associated hypersecretion of pituitary hormone was corrected without disturbing normal pituitary function.