ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the health issues related to the endocrine system. It also explains the pathophysiology, preoperative assessment, investigations, perioperative management, monitoring and postoperative management. These issues include acromegaly, adrenocortical insufficiency, carcinoid syndrome, conn syndrome, cushing syndrome (hypercortisolism), diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, iatrogenic adrenocortical suppression, muscular dystrophies, myotonia, pituitary disorders and hypopituitarism and gastrinoma. Excessive secretion of growth hormone in adults causes hypertrophy of soft tissues and bone, particularly in the tips, leading to the name of the disease. Adrenocortical insufficiency, characterized by inadequate cortisol secretion and low serum cortisol concentration, is classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on whether the disturbance is in the adrenal cortex, pituitary or hypothalamus. Carcinoid syndrome is caused by peptides, particularly serotonin and bradykinin, which reach the systemic circulation in abnormally high concentrations after release by carcinoid tumours. Hypersecretion of aldosterone leads to Conn syndrome or hyperaldosteronism.
