Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A retrospective study of 58 hypothyroid patients attending the Endocrine Clinic, University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, between July and August 1989, was undertaken. The age range at initial presentation varied from one month to eighty-four years. The majority of cases (51 or 87.9%) were between 21 and 70 years. There were 50 females (86.2%) and 8 males (13.8%). The underlying causes were idiopathic hypothyroidism (35 or 60.3%), posthyroidectomy (13 or 22.4%), post I131 therapy (6 or 10.4%), panhypopituitarism (3 or 5.2%), hypophysectomy (1 or 1.7%). Biochemical parameters used in diagnosis were serum thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Forty-six patients (79.2%) had elevated TSH, indicative of a high correlation of elevated TSH with hypothyroidism. Duration of symptomatology prior to diagnosis was one year in 27 patients (46.5%), 2-10 years in 23 (39.6%) and 10 years in 4 cases (6.9%). The major presenting signs and symptoms were lethargy (20 or 34.5%), anaemia (mixed normochromic, microcytic (16 or 27.6%), slow relaxation of tendon reflexes (16 or 27.6%), coarsening of skin (15 or 25.9%), weight gain 10 or 17.2%), hoarseness (9 or 15.5%) and psychiatric symptoms (7 or 12%). The known association of primary hypothyroidism with other autoimmune disorders was not borne out in this study. The time-lapse in diagnosis from symptomatology emphasized the need for clinicians to be more alert to the subtle and varied presentation of hypothyroidism.
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PMID:A retrospective study on hypothyroid patients. 185 70

We reported here 19-year-old man suffering from circadian sleep-wake (S-W) rhythm disturbance after total tumor resection and whole brain irradiation. This 19-year-old man was diagnosed as having astrocytoma in the right temporal lobe by CT scan and angiography at the age of 6 months. After total tumor resection and whole brain irradiation (60Co 60 Gy), he showed profound psychomotor retardation, endocrinologic dysfunction including hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency, and sleep-wake rhythm disturbance. At the age of 19, brain MRI revealed asymmetrical low intensity in the hypothalamic region. On endocrinological examination panhypopituitarism due to primary hypothalamic lesion was evident. His S-W rhythm was disturbed showing a dispersed type sleep, i.e., sleep periods were dispersedly distributed throughout the 24 hours. So he showed a lethargic tendency in the daytime. All-day polysomnography revealed abnormal sleep structure such as the absence of sleep spindle and hump, peripheral apnea, snoring and low oxygen saturation. After L-thyroxine supplementation his daily activity improved gradually. The decrease in short time sleep and tendency of a free-running rhythm were observed and oxygen saturation improved remarkably. Peripheral apnea and snoring disappeared. The wakening effect of L-thyroxine administration may be due to improvement of hypothyroidism symptom such as myxoedematous pharynx. In addition, it seems related to the alteration of the central S-W rhythm regulation, because free-running rhythm appeared after L-thyroxine administration. Vitamin B12 (VB12), which has been reported to be effective for sleep-wake rhythm disorders, was not effective for our patient's free-running rhythm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Circadian rhythm disturbance after radiotherapy for brain tumor in infantile period--clinical effect of L-thyroxine and vitamin B12]. 821 1

An 11-month-old, neutered female miniature schnauzer presented with a severe head injury. The dog was treated for the acute effects of craniocerebral trauma and was hospitalized for just over a week. Several weeks later, she became weak and lethargic. A diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism was confirmed with an adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. An endogenous ACTH assay confirmed secondary hypoadrenocorticism. The dog was tested for hypopituitarism with canine thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine serum assays and an insulin-like growth factor assay. These tests could not confirm panhypopituitarism in this dog. The hypoadrenocorticism was treated with prednisone, and the dog remains controlled adequately three years later.
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PMID:Secondary hypoadrenocorticism associated with craniocerebral trauma in a dog. 1010 79

Rathke's cleft cysts are sometimes associated with aseptic meningitis or metabolic encephalopathy due to hyponatremia. We treated such a case manifest by lethargy, fever and electroencephalographic abnormalities. A 68-year-old man was admitted to our ward after experiencing general malaise, nausea and vomiting and then high fever and lethargy. On admission, he was drowsy and had nuchal rigidity and Kernig's sign. Physically, he was pale with dry, thickened skin. He had lost 5.0 kg of body weight in the last month. His serum sodium was 115 mEq/l. He had a low serum osmotic pressure (235 mOsmol/l) and a high urine osmotic pressure (520 mOsmol/l). His urine volume was 1200-1900 ml/24 h with a specific gravity of 1008-1015. The urine sodium was 210 mEq/l. He did not have an elevated level of antidiuretic hormone. Electroencephalograms showed periodic delta waves over a background of theta waves. With sodium replacement, the patient become alert and symptom free, and his electroencephalographic findings normalized. However, the serum sodium level did not stabilize, sometimes falling with a recurrence of symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly delineated a dumbbell-shaped intrasellar and suprasellar cyst. The suprasellar component subsequently shrunk spontaneously and finally disappeared. An endocrinologic evaluation showed panhypopituitarism. The patient was given glucocorticoid and thyroxine replacement therapy, which stabilized his serum sodium level and permanently relieved his symptoms. A transsphenoidal approach was performed. A greenish cyst was punctured, and a yellow fluid was aspirated. The cyst proved to be simple or cubic stratified epithelium, and a diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cyst was made. The patient was discharged in good condition with a continuation of hormonal therapy. Rathke's cleft cyst can cause aseptic meningitis if the cyst ruptures and its contents spill into the subarachnoid space. Metabolic encephalopathy induced by hyponatremia due to salt wasting also can occur if the lesion injures the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
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PMID:Hyponatremia-induced metabolic encephalopathy caused by Rathke's cleft cyst: a case report. 1046 7

Although intrinsic pituitary lesions are the most common cause of hypopituitarism, suprasellar masses can produce similar symptoms. The differential diagnosis of a suprasellar mass includes cystic lesions, tumors, granulomatous disease, and infection. The etiology is not always obvious, and despite extensive work-up, may remain elusive. A 28-year-old Mexican man presented with complaints of headache and weakness for two weeks duration. He became increasingly lethargic and an MRI revealed a two centimeter suprasellar mass. Testing of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis suggested panhypopituitarism. He was prescribed treatment with hydrocortisone, DDAVP, and levothyroxine. Open craniotomy and biopsy of the hypothalamus revealed marked inflammation with plasma cells, histiocytes, and small lymphocytes. Light microscopy revealed macrophage-contained leishmania-like organisms although results were not immediately available. Pathological data was consistent with acute infection by Trypanasoma cruzi. Despite supportive efforts, the patient expired two months after presentation. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing and the potential rapid mortality of a suprasellar mass. Because of the wide consideration of etiologies, a tissue diagnosis is needed. However, as this case illustrates, a definitive tissue diagnosis is not always possible, even following biopsy during open craniotomy.
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PMID:Acute chagas' disease presenting with a suprasellar mass and panhypopituitarism. 1576 61

We describe a case of traumatic panhypopituitarism following head injury. Generally considered, posttraumatic hypopituitarism occurs in patients who have suffered from severe head injury. However there were a few case reports of panhypopituitarism due to mild and moderate head injury. A 51-year-old male presented with a history of blunt head injury caused by a concrete block hitting his head directly during work. On admission, initial Glasgow Coma Scale was 14. Open depressed skull fracture was suspected. Emergency craniectomy and debridement were performed. Ten days after surgery, hypothermia, lethargy and appetite loss were manifested. Endocrinological examination showed panhypopituitarism with diabetes insipidus. MRI revealed ruptured pituitary stalk and pituitary gland hemorrhage. Coronal and sagittal MRI was helpful for the diagnosis of traumatic panhypopituitarism. General condition was recovered by hormone replacement therapy. It is important for medical staff carefully to observe vital signs and clinical symptoms, even if mild brain injury. Pituitary function test should also be undergone, if panhypopituitarism was suspected from clinical condition.
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PMID:[Traumatic panhypopituitarism: case report]. 1668 92

Symptomatic metastases to the pituitary (MP) from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are rare. In this largest case series reported, we describe the clinical features, treatment and outcome of 5 patients. Over a 6-year period (2000-2006), we treated 5 patients (3 males; mean age 61 years) with large sellar masses and RCC. Four patients had a history of RCC, while in one, RCC was diagnosed after surgery. RCC was diagnosed a median of 11 years prior to diagnosis of MP (range 0-27 years). Four patients had previously developed distant metastases. Clinical presentation included bitemporal hemianopia (3 patients), lethargy (3), headaches (2) and diabetes insipidus (DI) (2). Panhypopituitarism was present in 3 patients and the other two had deficiency of at least ACTH and gonadotropin axes. Elevated prolactin was seen in 3 patients. MRI showed an enhancing sellar mass with suprasellar extension and chiasmal compression in all; prominent vascular flow voids were seen in 2. Three patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery and radiation, while 2 underwent radiotherapy alone. Four patients are alive (follow up 6-46 months); 1 patient died due to systemic metastases at 12 months. Metastases to the pituitary from RCC cause more severe hypopituitarism and visual dysfunction compared to those from other primaries, whereas DI is less common. MRI shows contrast enhancement, stalk involvement, sclerosis and/or erosion of sella and presence of vascular flow voids. Combined treatment using decompressive surgery and stereotactic radiotherapy may result in better outcomes.
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PMID:Symptomatic pituitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma. 1754 48

We present a patient with progressive weakness over months caused by untreated hyponatraemia. When hyponatraemia became severe, the patient could not move without help, was lethargic and had endocrinological dysfunction. Symptomatic therapy brought no improvement. MRI of the brain showed empty sella with gross herniation of the optic chiasma, gyrus rectus and third ventricle. After fluid and salt supplementation was combined with hydrocortisone, the patient regained his strength and could leave the hospital. Panhypopituitarism caused by empty sella should always be considered when hyponatraemia is not responsive to salt and fluid substitution alone. Additional hydrocortisone supplementation can be life saving.
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PMID:Severe hyponatraemia in the setting of hypopituitarism associated with empty sella and herniation of the optic chiasm and gyrus rectus. 1926 86

Sheehan's syndrome is a rare condition characterized by post-partal panhypopituitarism due to necrosis of adenohypophysis resulting from severe post-partum hemorrhage. Lethargy, amenorrhea and failure of lactation are the usual presenting features. Cardiac involvement in Sheehan's syndrome is rare. The case presented here describes dilated cardiomyopathy in a 36-year-old lady who failed to respond adequately to the standard anti-failure treatment. Further investigation revealed the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome. Besides other manifestations, cardiac function reverted to normal after giving replacement therapy with glucocorticoid, levothyroxine and sex hormone. Physicians, specially those in developing countries, should have high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome while dealing with a case of 'peripartal dilated cardiomyopathy'. Persistent amenorrhea and failure of lactation may be important clues in this context. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lessen the sufferings of the patients.
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PMID:Sheehan's syndrome with reversible dilated cardiomyopathy: A case report and brief overview. 2471 43

Paradichlorobenzene (PDB) is an aromatic compound found in several household insect repellents and deodorizers. Paradichlorobenzene may cause dependence and damage when inhaled or ingested. Prior cases of PDB neurotoxicity involved ingestion or inhalation of mothballs or occupational exposure. We report the first case of PDB neurotoxicity from chronic toilet bowl deodorizers ("toilet cake") sniffing. A 19-year-old woman, 4 weeks postpartum, presented with gradual mental status deterioration, lethargy, and general weakness for 2 weeks. On physical examination, the patient was found to have a strong odor of deodorizer and diffuse hyperpigmented skin lesions, with scratch marks in neck, axillae, trunk, and 4 limbs. She was alert but unable to communicate or follow commands. Ataxia, hyporeflexia, cogwheel rigidity, and decreased muscle tone were also noted. Laboratory tests revealed only normocytic anemia. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan showed enhancement within the splenium of the corpus callosum. Postpartum depression, psychosis, and panhypopituitarism were excluded. Family members reported on further questioning that the patient was a habitual "toilet cake" sniffer for an unknown period. A urine test for 2,5-dichlorophenol (a PDB metabolite) level was 620 mg/L (3100 times higher than the average concentration with household exposure). Her clinical condition and body odor remained unchanged during the 30-day hospitalization and the skin findings improved.
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PMID:"Toilet cake" encephalopathy. 2518 76


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