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Context Pheochromocytomas are hormone secreting tumors of the medulla of the adrenal glands found in 0.1–0.5% of patients with hypertension. The vast majority of pheochromocytomas secrete catecholamines, but they have been occasionally shown to also secrete interleukins, calcitonin, testosterone, and in rare cases adrenocorticotropic hormone. Pheochromocytoma crisis is a life threatening event in which high levels of catecholamines cause a systemic reaction leading to organ failure. Case Description A 70-year-old man was admitted with acute myocardial ischemia following glucocorticoid administration as part of an endocrine workup for an adrenal mass. Cardiac catheterization disclosed patent coronary arteries and he was discharged. A year later he returned with similar angina-like chest pain. During hospitalization, he suffered additional events of chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations following administration of glucocorticoids as preparation for intravenous contrast administration. Throughout his admission, the patient demonstrated both signs of Cushing's syndrome and high catecholamine levels. Following stabilization of vital parameters and serum electrolytes, the adrenal mass was resected surgically and was found to harbor an adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting pheochromocytoma. This is the first documented case of adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting pheochromocytoma complicated by glucocorticoid induced pheochromocytoma crisis. Conclusion Care should be taken when administering high doses of glucocorticoids to patients with suspected pheochromocytoma, even in a patient with concomitant Cushing's syndrome.

ObjectiveMicroRNA (miRNA) are short nucleotide strands with a regulatory function in the cell. Several miRNAs have been shown to be useful as biomarkers for different neoplasms. The aim of this project was to assess whether levels of miRNA in cell free urine could be used as a biomarker in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).ResultscDNA libraries were produced based on small RNAs in urine samples of fourteen TCC patients and twenty healthy volunteers. Resulting reads were deep sequenced on Illumina HiSeq sequencer with the intent of characterizing cell free urine miRNA profiles. A statistically significant difference was found for a single miRNA; miR-210 was > sixfold higher in the TCC group compared to the control group. Furthermore, we were able to produce a diagnostic score by summing of standardized levels of overexpressed miRNA. This score was considerably higher in TCC patients with a sensitivity of 0.93, specificity of 0.76 and negative predictive value > 0.97.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-2950-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction The association between the degree of isolated gestational proteinuria and preeclampsia with severe features and other placental‐mediated complications is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a higher isolated proteinuria level is associated with an increased frequency of preeclampsia with severe features. Material and methods This retrospective cohort study included pregnant women who were past 24 weeks of gestation and were diagnosed as having new‐onset proteinuria ≥300 mg in a 24‐h urine collection. Exclusion criteria included diagnosis of preeclampsia within 72 h from admission, chronic renal disease or chronic hypertension. The study population was divided into tertiles by proteinuria level and the association with preeclampsia with severe features was assessed in both bivariable and multivariable analysis. The main outcome measures was the development of preeclampsia with severe features. Results Overall, 165 women were diagnosed with isolated gestational proteinuria, and 38 (23.0%) of them developed preeclampsia with severe features. Women in the increasing proteinuria tertile were more likely to develop preeclampsia with severe features (5.5%, 21.8%, 41.8%, respectively; p = 0.004). A multivariable logistic regression model controlling for background characteristics as well as gestational age at diagnosis, blood pressure, and kidney and liver function tests showed an increased risk of 14% to develop preeclampsia with severe features for every 500‐mg rise in proteinuria level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.27). Conclusions A higher isolated gestational proteinuria level was associated with an increased risk to develop preeclampsia with severe features among pregnant women past 24 weeks of gestation.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the mode of delivery of nulliparous women with vaginismus at term to those without vaginismus. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. Nulliparous women ≥37 weeks presenting in labor with a diagnosis of vaginismus, defined as chronic recurring difficulty for a woman to allow vaginal penetration, were included. The control group consisted of the next two nulliparous women delivering at term. Delivery data were compared between the groups. RESULTS: 26 women with vaginismus were compared to 52 controls. Demographics were similar between the groups. The cesarean delivery rate was significantly higher in the vaginismus group (38% vs. 13%, p=0.019). Maternal request was the major contributing factor (19% vs. 0%, p=0.002). Four women in the vaginismus group required perineal suturing using IV sedation or general anesthesia compared to none in the control group. CONCLUSION: Nulliparous women with vaginismus have a significantly higher cesarean delivery rate. Maternal request is a major contributing factor rather than standard obstetrical indications. Perineal repair following vaginal delivery often requires iv sedation in the operating room.