Myxoglobulosis in the appendix

Myxoglobulosis is a specific type of mucocele consisting of mucoid material. It is characterized by opaque, transparent globules that resemble "fish eggs" or "frogspawns". It is generally diagnosed incidentally during an appendectomy or an autopsy. In this paper, we aim to present the case of a 58-year-old male patient who was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain and loss of appetite. The patient underwent an appendectomy. Opaque intraluminal globules were found in the appendectomy material. The globules resembled pearls and they were 2-3 mm in diameter. After histopathological examinations, the patient was diagnosed with myxoglobulosis accompanied with acute appendicitis. According to our research, this is the first case of myxoglobulosis in our country

Assessment of Neuroendocrine Changes and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Autoimmunity in Patients with COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and pituitary dysfunction may occur. Therefore, we investigated neuroendocrine changes, in particular, secondary adrenal insufficiency, using a dynamic test and the role of autoimmunity in pituitary dysfunction in patients with COVID-19. The single-center, prospective, case-control study included patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 and healthy controls. Basal hormone levels were measured, and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed. Antipituitary (APA) and antihypothalamic antibodies (AHA) were also determined. We examined a total of 49 patients with COVID-19 and 28 healthy controls. The frequency of adrenal insufficiency in patients with COVID-19 was found as 8.2%. Patients with COVID-19 had lower free T (3) , IGF-1, and total testosterone levels, and higher cortisol and prolactin levels when compared with controls. We also demonstrated the presence of APA in three and AHA in one of four patients with adrenal insufficiency. In conclusion, COVID-19 may result in adrenal insufficiency, thus routine screening of adrenal functions in these patients is needed. Endocrine disturbances in COVID-19 are similar to those seen in acute stressful conditions or infections. Pituitary or hypothalamic autoimmunity may play a role in neuroendocrine abnormalities in COVID-19