Pasireotide: A new option for treatment of acromegaly

Acromegaly is characterized by excess production of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Although surgery is the first treatment option, somatostatin receptor analogs (SSRAs) can be used in selected cases which surgery is contraindicated. A patient who has been diagnosed as acromegaly was admitted to our hospital. Hypophyseal adenomectomy had been performed one year ago. The patient was taking lanreotide for 6 months and disease was not under control. She had loss of vision. Although she had a residual tumor, second surgery couldnt be performed due to the location of tumor. The patient was followed for 6 years. Radiotherapy and other medical treatment options were tried but none of them were successful. At the end of six years, pasireotide was started. At the third month of treatment, biochemical control was achieved. Pasireotide may be a treatment option for some patients with acromegaly that are inadequately controlled by first generation SSRAs. [Med-Science 2020; 9(2.000): 518-21

Mean platelet volume in Graves' disease: A sign of hypermetabolism rather than autoimmunity?

Objective: To evaluate the impact of mean platelet volume (MPV) on predicting disease course among patients with Graves' disease (GD). Methods: This retrospective study was performed between 2013-2016 at the Outpatient Endocrinology Clinic of Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana hospital on 65 patients with GD. Among participants, 30 cases experienced thyrotoxicosis again during the first six months after discontinuing anti-thyroid drug (ATD) sessions that had been carried out for at least 12 months prior to stopping (Relapse group). We also observed 35 patients who exhibited normal thyroid functions within six months following ATD withdrawal (Remission group). MPV levels and thyroid function tests were recorded and total duration of ATD therapy was calculated for all participants. Results: The mean MPV level that was measured at the time of drug withdrawal did not differ between groups, being 8.0 +/- 1.2 fL in the Relapse group vs. 8.0 +/- 1.0 fL in the Remission group (p=0.81). However, we found that the relapse MPV was higher than the withdrawal MPV in the Relapse group (9.2 +/- 1.3 fL) than it was in the Remission group (8.0 +/- 1.2 fL, p=0.00). Conclusions: Higher relapse MPV in Relapse group but similar MPV levels in both groups at ATD withdrawal may be attributed to hypermetabolism or hyperthyroidism rather than autoimmunity of GD