A Case of Paraganglioma with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease.

Co-occurrence of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) and phaeochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) are rare, although some cases have been reported. We report a case of left paraganglioma in a 20-year-old lady with an underlying CCHD who underwent palliative Glenn shunt, subsequently developed polycythaemia and cavernous sinus thrombosis presented with palpitation, sweating, headache and hypertension of 3-months duration at the age of 17. The abdominal CT scan revealed an enhancing left paraaortic mass measuring 5.2 cm x 4.4 cm x 3.8 cm. A 24-hour urine catecholamine demonstrated raised noradrenaline level to six times upper limit of normal and hence diagnosis of left sympathetic (sPGL) was made. In view of the delayed diagnosis and significant morbidity associated with her condition, surgical treatment is no longer an option. Therefore, vigilant screening and early treatment of PCC-PGL in patients with CCHD are crucial in order to avoid significant morbidity and ensure a good quality of life.

Adaptability of "Management of Really Sick Patients with Anorexia Nervosa" (MARSIPAN) for extreme anorexia nervosa in a developing country: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: For the management of patients with severe eating disorders, coordinated collaboration between a multidisciplinary team is imperative. Ideally, these cases should be treated in a specialized eating disorder unit (SEDU). METHOD: This case report highlights the use of an integrated approach based on "Management of Really Sick Patients with Anorexia Nervosa" report in managing a case of extreme anorexia nervosa where a SEDU is unavailable. RESULT: In this case, early psychiatric team support is key in the patient's path to recovery. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: This highlights the importance of having a SEDU and staff trained in eating disorder.

Nutritional strategies in managing postmeal glucose for type 2 diabetes: A narrative review.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plays an essential role in overall glycemic management. Less focus is given on managing postmeal hyperglycemia despite the facts that, it is a common feature of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the existing literature on the nutritional approaches to improve postmeal hyperglycemia in patients with T2D. We searched multiple databases for the studies examining the nutritional approaches to manage postmeal glucose in patients with T2D. We included studies that involve human trials that were published in English for the past 10 years. Our review of the current literature indicates that the postmeal hyperglycemia can be improved with four nutritional approaches. These approaches include (i) utilizing the appropriate amount and selecting the right type of carbohydrates, (ii) using specific types of dietary protein, (iii) manipulating the meal timing and orders and (iv) others (promoting postmeal physical activity, incorporating diabetes-specific formula and certain functional foods). The potential mechanisms underlying these approaches are discussed and the identified gaps warranted further research. This array of nutritional strategies provide a set of options for healthcare professionals to facilitate patients with T2D in achieving the optimal level of postmeal glucose.

Morning sickness of pregnancy: more than meets the eye.

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a rare life-threatening complication following severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Early recognition of this condition and prompt thiamine administration is the key to preventing devastating sequelae. We report a successful delivery of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby by a patient with WE and thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy.

Multi-Target Approach to Metastatic Adrenal Cell Carcinoma.

Adrenal cell carcinoma is a rare tumor and more than 70% of patients present with advanced stages. Adrenal cell carcinoma is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Surgical intervention is the gold standard treatment and mitotane is the only drug approved for the treatment of adrenal cell carcinoma. Until recently in 2012, the etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin plus mitotane are approved as first-line therapy based on response rate and progression-free survival. This case illustrates a case of advanced adrenal cell carcinoma in a young girl who presented with huge adrenal mass with inferior vena cava thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Multi-approach of therapy was used to control the tumor size and metastasis. Therefore, it may prolong her survival rate for up to 5 years and 4 months.

Relative adrenal insufficiency amongst hospitalized mild to moderate acute ischemic stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION: Acute ischemic stroke is a stressful condition where there is marked increase in the production of cortisol. In the past, adrenal insufficiency in critically ill patients had been shown to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, there have been no studies performed to determine its prevalence among patients with acute ischemic stroke.  OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of relative adrenal insufficiency in acute ischemic stroke by utilizing low dose (LD) and standard dose (SD) synacthen tests and to correlate it with inpatient hospital morbidity and mortality. METHOD: Fifty-eight patients who fulfilled the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke within 72 hours from the onset of a stroke were subjected to LD (1µg) synacthen test (LDST) and two hours later to SD (250 µg) synacthen test (SDST). RESULT: Based on an increment of less than 250 nmol/L after LDST, 38 (65.5%) patients had relative adrenal insufficiency. However, using similar criteria with the SDST, only 18 (31.0%) patients had relative adrenal insufficiency. Three patients died during the study period and they had a tendency to have high baseline cortisol levels. The diagnosis of relative adrenal insufficiency in general was not associated with any other significant clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: This is the first study demonstrating the prevalence of relative adrenal insufficiency amongst acute ischemic stroke patients. Utilizing the LDST, relative adrenal insufficiency was found more sensitive in detecting relative adrenal insufficiency in patients with acute ischemic stroke as compared to SDST.

Utility of alpha-blockade in a hypotensive pheochromocytoma patient with myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case study is to emphasize the importance of α-blockade in managing a rare complication of an untreated pheochromocytoma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 41-year-old man with previous bilateral pheochromocytoma presented with chest pain. He was suffering from cardiac failure and persistent hypotension requiring an inotrope. Cardiac markers, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram confirmed acute myocardial infarct with poor ejection fraction and global hypokinesia. An (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scan showed progressive left suprarenal and organ of Zuckerkandl pheochromocytomas. Blood pressure stabilisation proved challenging but was achieved by titrating an incremental dose of α-blocker against a tapering inotropic dose. CONCLUSION: This case showed the efficacy of an α-blocker despite persistent hypotension in a patient with pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy.

Low glycaemic index diets improve glucose tolerance and body weight in women with previous history of gestational diabetes: a six months randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2 diabetes and weight management is recommended to reduce the risk. Conventional dietary recommendations (energy-restricted, low fat) have limited success in women with previous GDM. The effect of lowering Glycaemic Index (GI) in managing glycaemic variables and body weight in women post-GDM is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of conventional dietary recommendations administered with and without additional low-GI education, in the management of glucose tolerance and body weight in Asian women with previous GDM. METHOD: Seventy seven Asian, non-diabetic women with previous GDM, between 20- 40y were randomised into Conventional healthy dietary recommendation (CHDR) and low GI (LGI) groups. CHDR received conventional dietary recommendations only (energy restricted, low in fat and refined sugars, high-fibre). LGI group received advice on lowering GI in addition. Fasting and 2-h post-load blood glucose after 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (2HPP) were measured at baseline and 6 months after intervention. Anthropometry and dietary intake were assessed at baseline, three and six months after intervention. The study is registered at the Malaysian National Medical Research Register (NMRR) with Research ID: 5183. RESULTS: After 6 months, significant reductions in body weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio were observed only in LGI group (P<0.05). Mean BMI changes were significantly different between groups (LGI vs. CHDR: -0.6 vs. 0 kg/m2, P= 0.03). More subjects achieved weight loss ≥5% in LGI compared to CHDR group (33% vs. 8%, P=0.01). Changes in 2HPP were significantly different between groups (LGI vs. CHDR: median (IQR): -0.2(2.8) vs. +0.8 (2.0) mmol/L, P=0.025). Subjects with baseline fasting insulin≥2 µIU/ml had greater 2HPP reductions in LGI group compared to those in the CHDR group (-1.9±0.42 vs. +1.31±1.4 mmol/L, P<0.001). After 6 months, LGI group diets showed significantly lower GI (57±5 vs. 64±6, P<0.001), GL (122±33 vs. 142±35, P=0.04) and higher fibre content (17±4 vs.13±4 g, P<0.001). Caloric intakes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: In women post-GDM, lowering GI of healthy diets resulted in significant improvements in glucose tolerance and body weight reduction as compared to conventional low-fat diets with similar energy prescription.

Adrenal involvement in histoplasmosis.

Histoplasmosis infection is endemic in Asia and disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) is one form of its presentation (Benevides et al., 2007[1]). DH commonly affects both adrenal glands. We describe a case of disseminated histoplasmosis complicated with hypercalcaemia in a 75-year-old immunosuppressed patient who presented with bilateral adrenal masses. The fine needle aspiration cytology of the adrenal mass was positive for Histoplasma capsulatum.