Endocrinology and Metabolism

Eun Jung Lee (Lee EJ)

4 Articles

A Case of Aortic Dissection Associated with Cushing's Syndrome.: Soo Heon Kwak, Eun Jung Lee, Sun Wook Cho, Hyung Jin Choi, Eun Kyung Lee, Young Min Cho, Seong Yeon Kim; J Korean Endocr Soc. 2006;21(6):556-559. Published online December 1, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2006.21.6.556

Abstract PDF: Herein is reported the case of a 43-year-old woman, who experienced an acute aortic dissection associated with underlying Cushing's syndrome. The patient had central obesity and a moon face of ten years duration, but had never sought medical consultation. On the day of her presentation, she experienced a severe chest pain radiating to her back. Computed tomography revealed a Stanford type B acute aortic dissection and a left adrenal mass. From her hormonal study results, clinical symptoms and signs, she was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, which was due to a left adrenal adenoma. After medical treatment to stabilize the aortic dissection, she underwent left adrenalectomy. The aortic lesion of the present patient suggests that hypercortisolemia arising from Cushing's syndrome might be related to the development of acute aortic dissection.

Cystic Insulinoma of the Pancreas.: Sun Wook Cho, Eun Jung Lee, Soo Heon Kwak, Young Min Cho, Chan Soo Shin, Kyong Soo Park, Seong Yeon Kim, Bo Youn Cho, Hong Kyu Lee; J Korean Endocr Soc. 2006;21(6):552-555. Published online December 1, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2006.21.6.552

Abstract PDF: Cystic islet cell neoplasms are among the rarest entities in the differential diagnosis of cystic tumor of the pancreas, and this malady raises difficult clinical problems. The diagnosis of insulinoma could be difficult if the functional activity is incomplete, which possibly leads to blunted symptoms of hypoglycemia and failure in the laboratory to provide evidence of hyperinsulinemia. Furthermore, if the imaging shows a smaller tumor than usual or an unusual morphology like cyctic tumor, then physicians can become somewhat confused. We report here on a clinical case of cystic insulinoma with the typical neuroglycopenic symptoms and laboratory-confirmed hyperinsulinemia. At resection, a 2-cm cavitary mass without central necrosis was excised and this was confirmed histologically as a purely cystic insulioma. This is the first report of a functional cystic insulinoma of the pancreas in Korea. We suggest that the differential diagnosis of endocrine tumor must be considered for any pancreatic cyst, and especially when it is discovered in a patient who is clinically suggestive of having the associated syndrome.

A Case of Panhypopituitarism with Rhabdomyolysis.: Sung Wook Hong, Eun Jung Lee, Ji Young Park, Ji Sung Yoon, Ji O Mok, Yeo Joo Kim, Hyeong Kyu Park, Jae Woo Kim, Chul Hee Kim, Sang Jin Kim, Dong Won Byun, Kyo Il Suh, Myung Hi Yoo; J Korean Endocr Soc. 2005;20(2):174-178. Published online April 1, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2005.20.2.174

Abstract PDF: Rhabdomyolysis is the consequence of extensive muscle injury with the release of muscle cell constituents into plasma. It can arise from trauma and also from a variety of nontraumatic causes. Trauma, drugs, toxins and infection are the major causes of rhabdomyolysis, but it is rarely associated with metabolic disorders such as severe electrolyte disturbance, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar nonketotic coma, hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. There have been several reported cases of metabolic rhabdomyolysis, but panhypopituitarism as a cause has never been identified. We experienced a case of acute rhabdomyolysis associated with panhypopituitarism. Thus, So we report this case with the review of related literature. Metabolic disorder is a rare cause of rhabdomyolysis, but it should always be considered in a patient having and unexplained increased of the creatine kinase concentration

A Case of Protein-losing Enteropathy with an Abnormal Cortisol Response to ACTH Stimulation.: Hong Il Kim, Bo Kyeong Koo, You Jin Lee, Eun Jung Lee, Soo Heon Kwak, Sun Wook Cho, Hyung Jin Choi, Young Min Cho, Seong Yeon Kim; J Korean Endocr Soc. 2005;20(1):90-95. Published online February 1, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2005.20.1.90

Abstract PDF: We hereby report a case of a 62-year-old male patient who was misdiagnosed with adrenal insufficiency during the course of protein-losing enteropathy caused by superior mesenteric arterial thrombosis. The patient was suspected to have adrenal insufficiency due to hyponatremia and severe weakness. The cortisol responses to the initial challenge of 250microgram ACTH were inadequate (maximum serum cortisol level after ACTH challenge was 10.9microgram/dL), while the serum albumin concentration was 1.9g/dL. Subsequently, intravenous steroid therapy was given to the patient. However, after bowel resection, the serum albumin level increased to 3.4g/dL and the cortisol response to the follow-up rapid ACTH stimulation was completely normal. Accordingly, we discontinued steroid replacement and discharged the patient without any problem. In conclusion, measuring total serum cortisol in a patient with hypo-pro-teinemia may lead to misdiagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. In such cases, caution should be exercised in interpreting the results in terms of total serum cortisol level or measurement of serum free cortisol levels should be considered.

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