Localizing an occult insulinoma by selective calcium arterial stimulation test: first ever experience and a new dimension to diagnosis in Pakistan.

Insulinomas are rare, usually benign, solitary tumours accounting for 60% of islet cell tumours. These tumours can be difficult to localize preoperatively due to their small size. We present a challenging case of a 40 year old male with frequent hypoglycaemic spells and endogenous hypoglycaemia who presented as a diagnostic dilemma. Patient had an occult insulinoma with inconclusive CT Abdomen, MRI Abdomen and Octreotide scan. The final localization of the tumour was made by selective arterial calcium stimulation testing (SCAT), done for the first time in Pakistan at Aga Khan University Hospital. This was followed by successful distal pancreatectomy as localizd by SACT yielding a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumour. After surgery patient made a robust recovery with no further hypoglycaemic symptoms. Hence successful localization and management of occult insulinomas can be challenging but can be achieved with the advent of newer invasive modalities.

Efficacy of Liraglutide in clinical practice: Single centre experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: GLP-one receptor agonists are amongst the unique antidiabetes medications that have significant metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in addition to glucose lowering effect. To best of our knowledge, there is no published data on efficacy of liraglutide use among Pakistani population.Our objective was to ascertain the efficacy of liraglutide use among type two diabetes patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Endocrinology Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi, Pakistan during the period from July 01, 2016 to 30th June, 2017. Liraglutide was prescribed to 68 obese type two diabetes patients with uncontrolled diabetes taking more than one oral medication ± insulin. Starting dose of Liraglutide was 0.6 mg, which was increased to 1.2 mg after 1-2 weeks with further increment to 1.8 mg/day based on tolerance and individual patient preference. Dose of other diabetes medications was adjusted according to clinical judgment whereas Dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) inhibitors were discontinued. RESULTS: Mean age of cohort was 55 years (SD=10.94 years) with median body mass index of 36.45 kg/m2 and majority (57.35%) were on a dose of 1.2 mg of Liraglutide per day. Median HbA1c reduced to 7.50% and 7.40% at three months and six months respectively vs 8.45% at baseline. Mean reduction in weight after three month was two kilograms and at six months, it was 1.38 kilograms respectively. CONCLUSION: Liraglutide as add on therapy demonstrated favourable HbA1c and weight reduction in obese uncontrolled type two Diabetes Pakistani subjects.

Maternal characteristics and outcomes affected by hypothyroidism during pregnancy (maternal hypothyroidism on pregnancy outcomes, MHPO-1).

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is an arena of ongoing research, with international conflicts regarding screening, management, and outcomes. Various studies have described the outcomes depending on geographical and international diagnostic criteria. No study has been conducted in this regard from the region of Pakistan. Therefore, we aim to report the clinical features and maternal outcomes of hypothyroid pregnancies and compare the maternal outcomes between uncontrolled and controlled TSH levels in the preconception as well as the gestational period. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study on 718 cases in the Aga Khan University Hospital after ethical approval. We collected information on pregnant females who have diagnosed hypothyroidism before conception or during their antenatal period. We noted the maternal characteristics and maternal comorbidities. Laboratory data were recorded for thyroid stimulating hormone levels before conception and during gestation. We recorded maternal outcomes as pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth/intrauterine death, medical termination of pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy), gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, and modalities of delivery. Data analysis was performed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. RESULTS: Among 708 hypothyroid women 638 had live births. Postpartum hemorrhage was the most frequent maternal outcome (38.8%). The emergency cesarean section occurred in 23.4% of cases. We determined TSH levels in 53.2, 56.7, 61.7 and 66.6% of cases in preconception, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester periods. A significant association existed between cesarean section and preconception thyrotropin levels > 2.5 mIU/L, whereas postpartum hemorrhage was significantly associated with thyrotropin levels > 2.5 mIU/L in the preconception and third trimester. CONCLUSION: Successful live births in our patients were complicated by maternal postpartum hemorrhage and a frequent number of emergency cesarean section.

Hypopituitarism other than sellar and parasellar tumors or traumatic brain injury assessed in a tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Data regarding the etiology, clinical and biochemical patterns in hypopituitarism is scant for Pakistan. We describe the characteristics of patients with hypopituitarism other than sellar and parasellar tumors or traumatic brain injury from a tertiary care center in Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study in the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. We studied all patients presenting with hypopituitarism, between January 2004 and December 2013. Clinical, hormonal and imaging data pertinent to the study was collected according to inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Forty-two patients presented to the endocrinology clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital during the study period. Thirty-seven patients (88.1%) were females. Mean age ± standard deviation of the participants was 53.8 ± 14.7 years. Sixteen patients had secondary infertility and all were females; a majority of patients in this group had Sheehan's syndrome (n=8) followed by empty sella syndrome (n=3), partial empty sella syndrome (n=2), idiopathic cause (n=2) and tuberculoma (n=1). Eighteen females (48.6%) reported inability to lactate. CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic hypopituitarism was more common in women, with Sheehan syndrome being the most common cause of hypopituitarism in our study (35.7%). Secondary hypothyroidism was the most common hormonal deficiency. The most commonly reported symptom was weakness.

Diabetic ketoacidosis characteristics and differences In type 1 versus type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is undoubtedly one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century. It is well known that diabetes once develop can lead to several complications. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the life-threatening complications of diabetes. This study was designed to determine the frequency of DKA in diabetes patients and find out the clinical and biochemical determinants of DKA. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi, Pakistan from January 2010 to February 2016. All known or newly diagnosed diabetic patients of >16 years of age irrespective of gender and type of diabetes were included. Information regarding patient's demographics, presenting symptoms, precipitating causes of DKA, biochemical profiles and outcome at the time of discharge was collected. RESULTS: Majority (54.7%) had moderate and 12.4% had severe DKA at presentation. Previous history of DKA was found higher in type 1 diabetes patients (T1DM) (14%) as compare to (4%) type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) (p<0.05). DKA severity was observed more (12%) in newly diagnosed (T1DM) (p<0.05). Comorbidities were found more (81%) in (T2DM) (p<0.05) Mortality was also observed higher in Type 2 diabetes patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the diabetics had moderate to severe DKA at presentation. Mortality and morbidity related with DKA was found considerably higher among patients with T2DM while infection, myocardial infarction and stroke found as triggering factors in these patients.

Three siblings with familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma: a case series.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, thyroid carcinoma affected approximately 63,000 people in the USA, yet it remains one of the most treatable cancers. It is mainly classified into medullary and non-medullary types. Conventionally, medullary carcinoma was associated with heritability but increasing reports have now begun to associate non-medullary thyroid carcinoma with a genetic predisposition as well. It is important to identify a possible familial association in patients diagnosed with non-medullary thyroid carcinoma because these cancers behave more destructively than would otherwise be expected. Therefore, it is important to aggressively manage such patients and screening of close relatives might be justified. Our case series presents a diagnosis of familial, non-syndromic, non-medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland in three brothers diagnosed over a span of 6 years. CASE PRESENTATIONS: We report the history, signs and symptoms, laboratory results, imaging, and histopathology of the thyroid gland of three Pakistani brothers of 58 years, 55 years, and 52 years from Sindh with non-medullary thyroid carcinoma. Only Patients 1 and 3 had active complaints of swelling and pruritus, respectively, whereas Patient 2 was asymptomatic. Patients 2 and 3 had advanced disease at presentation with lymph node metastasis. All patients underwent a total thyroidectomy with Patients 2 and 3 requiring a neck dissection as well. No previous exposure to radiation was present in any of the patients. Their mother had died from adrenal carcinoma but also had a swelling in the front of her neck which was never investigated. All patients remained stable at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Non-medullary thyroid carcinoma is classically considered a sporadic condition. Our case report emphasizes a high index of suspicion, a detailed family history, and screening of first degree relatives when evaluating patients with non-medullary thyroid carcinoma to rule out familial cases which might behave more aggressively.