Tehran University Medical Journal

Introduction: Clinical manifestations of primary hyper-para-thyroidism (pHPT) had been dramatically changed during last 25 years. Evaluation of changes in clinical findings was the aim of this study.

Materials and methods: In a retrospective, descriptive case series, patients' records of all 47 pHPT (44 females, 3 males) from 1988 till 1998 were studied. Patients’ clinical presentations, signs and symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings were reviewed and the results were compared with 34 patients' studied during 1978-1987. Serum Ca>10.5 mg/dl with increased or high normal PTH were the diagnostic criteria of pHPT.

Results: Patients’ age range was 11-70 and mean ±SD was 38±16 years, with a female to male ratio of 14:1. 57 percent of the patients had bone pain and muscle weakness, 12 percent were asymptomatic, 10 percent had pathologic fractures, 8 percent had renal stones, 8 percent had symptoms of hypercalcemia, and 2 percent had giant cell lesion. The mean±SD of serum calcium was 11.48±1.16 mg/dl, phosphorus was 2.4±0.6 mg/dl and 24-h urinary Ca was 294±197 mg. Serum PTH was increased from 1.5 to 500 folds. The frequency of single adenoma in right inferior, left inferior, and left superior gland were 43 percent, 30 percent, and 13 percent respectively.

Conclusion: In the study 12 percent of patients were asymptomatic whereas there was no asymptomatic case in the previous study. Prevalence of severe bone disease and the interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was also reduced. According to this study detection of pHPT in asymptomatic phase remarkably increased.

Background: Definite diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's syndrome is still a dilemma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic tests and follow-up of patients with Cushing's syndrome.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty three consecutive cases with Cushing's syndrome during 1370-78 were studied. The screening tests were performed in all patients. High dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) and ACTH measurement were carried out. MRI/CT Scan were performed and compared with laboratory data and pathologic specimens as a gold standard test.
Results: The age range was 32±11 yrs. The most frequent symptoms were weakness hypertension, typical striae, and depression .The frequency of hypertension in ACTH-dependent case were 77% vs. 36% in adrenal tumors (P< 0.001). HDDST was positive in 99% of micro and 71% of macroadenomas. Adrenal tumors showed 3.6% suppression but none in ectopic cases. HDDST had a sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 97% and accuracy equals to 98%. The frequency of different etiologies was as following: Cushing's disease in 64.8%, adrenal tumors in 32.8% and ectopic ACTH in 2.4% of patients. Trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS) was performed in 120 patients .The patients were followed for 53±25 months whose remission periods were 46.7±23.8 months (range 4-114 months). Survival analysis showed 93% remission rate in 12mo, 82% in 2yr and only 33% after 5yr.This recurrence didn't have any platue level.
Conclusion: In our study, hypertension was more prevalent in ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. HDDST had acceptable sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Lifelong follow up of pituitary adenomas is inevitable in the case of progressive and gradual nature of recurrence in these tumors.