KORSAKOFF'S SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH ADRENAL VIRILISM. (1/3)

Korsakoff's syndrome of obscure etiology was observed in a 34-year-old single woman with an 11-year history of hirsutism and mood swings, and previous hospitalizations for mania three years ago and depression 11 years ago.Recently the virilism had intensified with increased muscularity and coarsening of facial features. The 24-hour urinary 17-ketosteroids ranged between 14.4 mg. and 21.5 mg. and were suppressed by dexamethasone. The 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion was normal. These and other findings suggested a diagnosis of adrenal virilism due to adrenocortical hyperplasia. In the absence of other discernible causes it appeared that the adrenal pathology was responsible for the Korsakoff's syndrome. Both conditions responded well to glucocorticoid therapy although low doses were necessary to avoid mania.It is speculated that the encephalopathy was due to an associated adrenal insufficiency. Although hypoadrenalism is accepted as a complication of only the infant form of adrenal virilism, it is noteworthy that this patient had pathological pigmentation of her skin.  (+info)

Microscope-assisted reduction clitoroplasty used to treat two patients with clitoromegaly. (2/3)

We report 2 cases of clitoromegaly, 1 in a patient with true hermaphroditism, and the other in a patient with adrenogenital syndrome. Both were treated surgically with reduction clitoroplasty. There are 3 different clitoroplasty procedures: clitorectomy, clitoral recession, and reduction clitoroplasty. Reduction clitoroplasty with preservation of the neurovascular bundle is considered superior in terms of formation of the external genitals and sensation. However, the disadvantages are that detachment of the neurovascular bundle from the clitoral shaft is difficult and that there is a high possibility of sensory and blood flow disorders in the clitoris. In an attempt to achieve safe and reliable surgical manipulation, we used a surgical microscope (OPMI 6-SDFC, Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH, magnification x8) to detach the neurovascular bundle from the clitoral shaft in our 2 patients. Our impression is that our efforts were extremely effective. Furthermore, our experience leads us to believe that the procedure for neurovascular bundle detachment required in reduction clitoroplasty is not particularly difficult if performed with a surgical microscope by a plastic surgeon who regularly performs microsurgery. Because the procedure can be performed simply and safely, we believe that reduction clitoroplasty with preservation of the neurovascular bundle is the best overall of the 3 clitoroplasty procedures.  (+info)

Role of a disordered steroid metabolome in the elucidation of sterol and steroid biosynthesis. (3/3)

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