Adrenal News

The clinical prediction score may potentially lead to occasional decision-making errors in patient selection for adrenalectomy in those with unilateral primary aldosteronism, according to study results.

Higher daytime cortisol levels were found in young children who were exposed to prednisone during their mothers’ pregnancies vs. children who had no exposure, according to research published in Clinical Endocrinology. No clinical outcomes, such as higher BMI or blood pressure, were noted in the children studied.

Axitinib, a drug with an anti-VEGF mechanism, has poor anti-tumor efficacy in treating adrenocortical carcinoma, according to recent study findings. 

Among adult patients with Cushing’s syndrome, those with mutations in PRKAR1A, the gene that controls cAMP-dependent protein kinase, are less obese than their counterparts without these mutations, according to a recent study. 

Researchers in Germany have identified genetic variations that could affect the physiological cortisol levels and severity of age-related osteoporosis, according to data published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

A 55-year-old obese man was referred for the evaluation of a right adrenal mass. A CT of the abdomen was performed for abdominal pain and chronic constipation. The CT of the abdomen showed a round well-circumscribed suprarenal lesion measuring 3.8 cm x 3.2 cm x 3 cm. The mass was heterogeneous with internal areas of hypoattenuation consistent with fatty tissue and did not enhance with IV contrast (Figures 1A,B).

Men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia appear to have an increased rate of psychiatric disorders and alcohol misuse vs. controls, according to data published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

“Our data argues for open adrenalectomy as the initial approach to large, potentially malignant adrenal masses,” researchers wrote. “Adjuvant therapy with mitotane, especially in the combination with radiation therapy, positively affects recurrence-free survival and radiation therapy effectively decreases the risk of local tumor recurrence.”

Recent study findings showed that obese children had higher levels of cortisol than their average-weight counterparts.

New data from two studies have shed light on the genetic nature of macronodular adrenal hyperplasia that may affect screening for and treatment of the condition.