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Localized pretibial myxedema (PTM) is a sign of Graves' disease. A 53-year-old man with Graves' disease was admitted with the development of PTM following radioisotope (131)I treatment for Graves' hyperthyroidism. TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) titer was also increased after (131)I treatment. TRAb was measured as thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) or TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII). PTM was noted several months after (131)I treatment. The PTM-development seems to be associated with the increased TRAb-activities. The localized pretibial myxedema was effectively treated with topical steroid (triamcinolone acetonide) ointment application with sealing cover (steroid occlusive dressing technique: steroid ODT). We also report our experience of PTM-treatment with steroid ODT in 5 other PTM patients with positive TRAb. PTM was successfully treated with steroid ODT in two patients. In these two patients, the treatment was started within several months of the appearance of PTM. In the other 4 patients, the treatment was started 5-10 years after the appearance of PTM without any beneficial effects. Early detection and early treatment are necessary for the remission of PTM.

A 75-year-old woman was found to be unconscious in hospital. She was febrile with a temperature of 38.4 degrees C. She had hypotension (blood pressure 80/40 mmHg) with serum Na 132 mEq/L and K 5.7 mEq/L (serum Na/K = 23.2), and serum cortisol 0.91 microg/dL, indicative of adrenal failure. She was admitted for the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism, and was found to be unconscious in hospital. We encountered a patient with unrecognized adrenocortical disease, in whom development of Graves' hyperthyroidism caused an adrenal crisis. The ACTH stimulation test indicated that she had 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD); after ACTH stimulation, 17-OH-progesterone increased from 0.6 to 10.4 ng/mL (17.3 times), and 17-OH-progesterone/cortisol from 0.0049 to 0.045 (9.2 times). She did not have clinical signs of classical 21OHD. She had non-classical 21OHD (NC21OHD). Development of Graves' hyperthyroidism caused an adrenal crisis in a patient with previously unrecognized NC21OHD. A patient with unrecognized adrenocortical disease developed Graves' hyperthyroidism, which induced an adrenal crisis. She had NC21OHD.

We report a rare case of primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with Burkitt-like morphology. A 54-year-old man presented with multiple subcutaneous tumors. Pathological examination showed morphological features resembling Burkitt or Burkitt-like lymphoma (BL/BLL) with high MIB-1 positivity. Cytogenetic studies revealed no 8q24/c-myc translocation. After the diagnosis of Burkitt-like DLBCL, the patient was treated with CODOX-M chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cytarabine and methotrexate), which led to durable remission. The present case suggests that short-term, high-intensity chemotherapy used for BL/BLL may be appropriate for primary cutaneous Burkitt-like DLBCL, as well as systemic lymphoma with Burkitt-like morphology.

Background: Motorization and supermarket-proliferation affect lifestyles. About 15 years ago, Okinawans went to several shops on foot, but now they go to supermarkets by car. The influences of these changes on the prevalence of diabetes are uncertain. OBJECTIVE AND MEASUREMENTS: The influence of motorization and supermarket-proliferation on the prevalence of diabetes was studied in the inhabitants of a town on Okinawa, Japan. Measurements were composed of anthropometry and blood chemistry. Participants were asked where they buy food and daily necessities (several shops or a supermarket) and how they get there (by car or on foot)., Design: Serial cross-sectional., Participants: Inhabitants of the island of Okinawa were studied., Results: In 1991, 24% went to several shops and 20% to a supermarket. However, in 2004, only 3.1% went to several shops and 83% to a supermarket. In 1991, 55% went to shopping places on foot and 38% by car. However, in 2004, only 14% went on foot and 76% by car. The prevalence of diabetes in Okinawa increased from 4.7% in 1991 to 8.4% in 2004. The prevalence of diabetes correlated positively with the percent of inhabitants going to supermarkets, and those going there by car. In 1991, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 4.7% in men and 4.6% in women; no difference was noted between men and women. In 2004, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increased to 9.2% in men and to 7.5% in women. The increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes from 1991 to 2004 was higher in men than in women., Conclusions: About 15 years ago, Okinawans went to shops on foot, but now they go to supermarkets by car. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Motorization and supermarket-proliferation are associated with the increases of the prevalence of diabetes. The increase in diabetes prevalence was higher in men than in women.

123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG)-accumulation in angiomyolipoma (AML) is demonstrated. A 24-year-old Japanese woman presented with tumors in the right retroperitoneal space. The tumors, which accumulated 123I-MIBG, had been thought to be adrenal pheochromocytoma before surgery. They were removed, and were found to be AML. 123I-MIBG was accumulated in AML. 123I-MIBG-accumulation in AML led to a false-positive diagnosis of adrenal pheochromocytoma. Catecholamine levels had been normal. No chromaffin cells were found in the histological examination of the tumors. MIBG accumulation does not necessarily indicate the presence of pheochromocytoma.

Carney's complex is composed of myxoma, spotty pigmentation and endocrine overactivity. A 27-year-old male was diagnosed to have Carney's complex on the basis of intense spotty pigmentations on his face, soles and palms, and bilateral adrenal nodular hyperplasia on computed tomography scanning (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Total bilateral adrenectomy was done; histological findings were compatible with primary pigmented adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). Recently, his sister and one of his brothers were suspected to have Carney's complex with PPNAD. We report the first familial case of Carney's complex with PPNAD and spotty pigmentations in Japan.

Ninety-four overweight subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were followed for 10 years. No one from the NGT group developed diabetes, however 32% of the IGT subjects did develop diabetes. Initial data of the IGT subjects who developed diabetes were significantly different from those who did not develop diabetes. Fasting, peak and/or sigma plasma glucose (PG), IRI and CPR at 180 minutes and CPR/IRI at 0 and 180 minutes were increased, and the peak time of PG was delayed; also the prevalence of a positive family history was higher, and the body weight heavier. Seventy-nine percent of IGT subjects with the initial sigma PG of greater than or equal to 40 mM or a positive family history developed diabetes whereas only 3% of those with sigma PG of less than 40 mM and a negative family history developed diabetes. Therefore, it might be considered that among the overweight adults with IGT, those with sigma PG of greater than or equal to 40 mM or a positive family history are diabetes prone and those with sigma PG of less than 40 mM and a negative family history are diabetes resistant.

A patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia (Kallmann's syndrome) is described. Anosmia has been believed to be due to hypoplasia of the rhinencephalon. This anatomical defect was demonstrated in vivo in a patient with Kallmann's syndrome by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).