Our report illustrates the high incidence of endocrine deficits in patients with craniopharyngioma. Additional hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction usually occurs following surgical treatment of these tumours.

Thyroid core-needle biopsy (CNB) has high sensitivity and PPV. Pitfalls of CNB are rare. Pitfalls are due to cystic cancer, histological heterogeneity, and mistakes in analysis. CNB is a reliable, safe, and accurate method to approach thyroid nodules. CNB can be used primarily or after insufficient or indeterminate FNA.

Summary:A 39 year old man presented with gynaecomastia, loss of libido and high blood pressure. Hormone studies revealed elevated plasma levels of oestradiol and its precursors, which increased in response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone and were reduced to normal levels with dexamethasone.Computed tomography disclosed a left adrenal mass and surgery was performed. The removed tumour weighed 84 g and the histological diagnosis was ofadenoma. Nine years after surgery, he is asymptomatic, without hypertension, and radiological and or hormonal evidence of recurrence. We discuss the hormone profile in this case and the dynamics ofsteroid production by the tumour which, in contrast to the classical concept of tumour autonomy, showed dependence of oestradiol secretion on endogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

Summary:A 25 year old non-pregnant woman presented with a one-year history of amenorrhoea and polyuria. Three months before her admission, she had suffered lymphocytic meningitis. Hormonal studies revealed hypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus, with associated primary autoimmune hypothyroidism. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a pituitary mass with suprasellar extension and thickened stalk. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed and the histological study revealed fibrosis and diffuse lymphocytic infiltration with predominance of CD4 lymphocytes. This further case of lymphocytic hypophysitis was not related to pregnancy and produced diabetes insipidus, two uncommon associations. We discuss the features that can lead to a preoperative suspicion of this rare disorder.