Effectiveness of Metyrapone in Treating Cushing's Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in 195 Patients.

Background: Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a severe condition with excess mortality and significant morbidity necessitating control of hypercortisolemia. There are few data documenting use of the steroidogenesis inhibitor metyrapone for this purpose.

Objective: The objective was to assess the effectiveness of metyrapone in controlling cortisol excess in a contemporary series of patients with CS.

Evaluation of pituitary function.

The improved survival of patients irradiated for central nervous system (CNS) and head and neck malignancy plus the recognition of the frequency of hypopituitarism following traumatic brain injury and other insults to the CNS has greatly increased the number of patients requiring long-term monitoring of pituitary function. The investigation of pituitary reserve requires knowledge of the risk factors for the development of hypopituitarism and thus biochemical testing is underpinned by the need for a meticulously taken medical history and careful examination of the patient. Radiology may be of value in establishing the etiology of hypopituitarism but the diagnosis is based on biochemical evaluation.

One-third of doctors completing specialist training in diabetes fail to secure a substantive consultant post: young Diabetologists' Forum Survey 2010.

Reports have highlighted a shortage of consultant diabetologist posts in the UK. The number of doctors completing specialist training in diabetes has increased in recent years, but little is known about their employment after they receive their certificate of completion of training. An online survey was sent to all doctors who completed specialist diabetes training from January 2008 to September 2010.