Dilemmas in management of osteoporosis in patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS)-resulting in 46,XY karyotype, but female phenotype-is a disorder of sex development and primary amenorrhea, but its effect on bone mineral density (BMD) is singular and difficult to manage. Androgens are an important modulator of bone remodeling and health, and the androgen receptor (AR) is pivotal for signaling within the bone cells. CAIS results in a severely disrupted AR throughout the body, causing an elevated risk of early osteoporosis. Timing of gonadectomy and hormone replacement therapy protocols are not established, creating a wide variety of treatment plans and BMD profiles. Our objective is to report a patient with CAIS status post prepubertal orchiectomy that developed early osteoporosis and to describe the lack of optimal strategies and consensus available to improve bone health in this population. Additionally, our case illustrates the fact there are no guidelines advocating the use of newer drugs for osteoporosis in this population.

ELETRIPTAN (RELPAXA™) CAUSING FALSE POSITIVE ELEVATIONS IN URINARY METANEPHRINES.

OBJECTIVE: Pheochromocytoma is diagnosed biochemically by demonstrating an excessive production of catecholamines and their metabolites in the blood and urine. However, these tests are at times fraught with false-positive results due to drug effects. We report here a patient with markedly elevated urinary metanephrines associated with the use of eletriptan for migraine treatment. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for eletriptan and false positive metanephrine elevation. Urine and plasma metanephrine tests were performed via liquid chromatography/tandem mass-spectrometry. RESULTS: A 29-year-old man with migraine recently started on eletriptan was evaluated for a worsening headache. Initially his blood pressure was 220/160 mm Hg with a creatinine of 1.9 mg/dL. He was treated with intravenous nicardipine. His lab tests showed normal aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio, midnight salivary cortisol, thyroid function, and urinary drug screen. A 24-hour urine metanephrine level at 2,494 µg (normal, 45 to 290 µg) and normetanephrine level at 1,341 µg (normal, 82 to 500 µg) for secondary hypertension work-up were markedly elevated. In contrast, plasma metanephrines were at 27 pg/mL (normal, 0 to 62 pg/mL) and normetanephrines were at 255 pg/mL (normal, 0 to 145 pg/mL) were only mildly elevated. Adrenal CT and gallium-68 positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed no abnormalities. Within 1 week of eletriptan discontinuation, his urine and plasma metanephrine and normetanephrine levels completely normalized as well as a reduction of blood pressure (130's/80's mm Hg). CONCLUSION: The discrepancy between plasma and urine studies in our patient suggests the possibility of false positive tests. It is possible that eletriptan may affect the urine assays, but the exact mechanism causing elevated urine metanephrines/normetanephrines is not clear.

Posterior occlusion changes with a Hawley vs Perfector and Hawley retainer. A follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize postorthodontic settling of the posterior occlusion of patients wearing Hawley retainers vs patients who initially wore Perfector retainers and then switched to Hawley retainers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This follow-up study was based on 40 patients (25 Perfector and 15 Hawley), who were part of a larger sample of 50 patients randomly assigned to wear either Hawley or Perfector retainers. The Perfector patients were given Hawley retainers 2 months after retainer delivery. Occlusal bite registrations were scanned and traced to quantify posterior areas of contact and near contact (ACNC). A seven-item questionnaire was used to assess the patient's perception of occlusion. Measurements were obtained at the on the day of retainer delivery, 2 months post delivery, 6 months post delivery, and 8 months post delivery. RESULTS: ACNC increased significantly (P < .05) during the first 6 months of retainer wear. The ACNC of the Hawley and Perfector/Hawley groups increased by 129% and 105%, respectively, over 8 months of retention. The greatest increases in ACNC occurred during the first 2 months. The ACNC further increased between 2 and 6 months in both groups. The Perfector/Hawley group also showed slight increases in ACNC between 6 and 8 months. Overall group differences were not statistically significant. The Perfector/Hawley group perceived greater improvements in occlusion than the Hawley group, but group differences after 8 months were small. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial amounts of settling occurred at decelerating rates during the first 6 months after retainer delivery. No significant differences in ACNC were found between the Hawley and Perfector/Hawley groups after 8 months of retainer wear.