Severe gynecomastia due to anti androgens intake: A case report and literature review.

Gynecomastia is the most bothersome side effect in men taking antiandrogens. It is exceptionally severe and distressing physically and mentally as in the reported case. A man, aged 63, with a history of a well-treated macroprolactinoma, was referred in 2004 for gynecomastia that appeared after treatment by microsurgery, radiotherapy and flutamide for a lesion suspected to be prostate cancer. Clinical examination was normal except for huge enlargement of the breasts. Mammography and breasts MRI did not show any tumor. There was not any metastasis of the supposed prostate cancer and prostatic acid phosphates were within normal ranges. Hormonal exploration showed subclinical hypogonadism [testosterone: 7.4 ng/ml (n: 3-9), FSH: 14.9 mu/ml (n: 0.7-11) and LH: 9.7 mu/ml (n: 0.8-7.6)]. Testes ultrasounds were normal. Radiological and hormonal adrenal explorations were normal [Cortisol: 76 ng/ml (n: 50-250), DHEA-S: 59 µg/ml (n: 50-560), E2:40.2 pg/ml (n < 50)]. Body scan was normal too. The discussed etiologies were post radiation subclinical hypogonadism, and treatment with anti androgens. After flutamide withdraw, there was not any sign of prostate cancer recurrence, and gynecomastia decreased significantly, but did not disappear probably because of fibrosis.

[Diabetes and Ramadan]. / Diabète et Ramadan.

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a holy month for Muslims. During this month, they have a duty to fast every day from sunrise to sunset. This religion spares diabetics and persons with chronic illnesses from this duty, because lack of eating and drinking all the day has many bad consequences on their health. But, because of a very strong habit, by solidarity with the family, or by fear of exclusion from the society, many diabetics insist on fasting as demonstrated by numerous studies. The problem is, when they fast, diabetics are at risk from complications such as severe hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, dehydration and thrombosis. To avoid this, consensus and recommendations have emerged in order to develop new approaches that would minimize the various complications. It appears from different recommendations that only diabetics whose equilibrium is stable, free of degenerative complications, and able to manage properly their diseases will be allowed to fast. The physician's role is to assist the faithful person to Ramadan by raising awareness of lifestyle and dietary rules, daily self-monitoring, and a new adjustment of treatment.

Spontaneous resolution of pituitary apoplexy in a giant boy under 10 years old.

AIM: Pituitary gigantism is a very rare condition; the occurrence of pituitary apoplexy in children younger than 10 years old is even rarer. The aim of our study is to report this exceptional association. OBSERVATION: A boy aged 9 years and 6 months was hospitalized for the first time in November 2011 for symptoms suggesting pituitary apoplexy. The onset of his disease was difficult to determine as his health record has been poorly maintained. On October 10, 2011, he presented to an emergency department with a sudden drop of visual acuity with diplopia and retro-orbital headaches. An ophthalmological exam found very low visual acuity (1/20) with papillary edema. An MRI of the patient's brain revealed a hemorrhagic pituitary process reaching the chiasma, which was compressed, especially on the right side. Thereafter, the patient's vision improved spontaneously. Clinical examination was normal except for gigantism (+5 SD compared to the target stature). Hormonal assessment argued for mixed secretion [growth hormone (GH) = 39 ng/mL, n ≤ 5, prolactin ( PRL) = 470 ng/mL, n < 15]. Other pituitary functions were normal. Visual acuity normalized after 2 months, and an MRI showed a spontaneous reduction of the pituitary tumor. CONCLUSION: This unusual observation is a model of symptomatic pituitary apoplexy with spontaneous resolution in a boy with pituitary gigantism: phenomenon quite exceptional and worth to be reported.

Congenital craniopharyngioma: a case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Although craniopharyngiomas are congenital tumors, they are rarely diagnosed in the prenatal or early neonatal period. Sometimes they are very large, debilitating and life-threatening, as in the case discussed here. OBSERVATION: A 21-month-old girl was referred for craniopharyngioma that had been diagnosed at 5 months because of neurologic complications. The pregnancy and birth were considered to be unremarkable. The birth weight was 4 kg, length 53 cm, head circumference 38 cm (n=35±1). Brain CT revealed active hydrocephalus caused by a very large solid, cystic and calcified supra sellar mass. MRI confirmed the process measuring 5 cm in height, multidirectional, diving into pituitary sella, displacing the brainstem. After several resections and reservoir drainage, the patient was blind, hemiparetic and she convulsed frequently. The patient died when she was 2. CONCLUSION: The large head circumference at birth, the size of the tumor, blindness, and hemiparesis observed before the age of 5 months suggested an antenatal process unnoticed because of inadequate gestational monitoring.