Description

The present volume of the CME Bulletin contains a number of articles of considerable clinical interest. Clinicians faced with the management of the patient with hypercalcaemia and hypocalciuria will welcome Dr Pearce’s contribution on calcium sensing disorders. Likewise, Dr Steve Orme’s article is based on an important piece of epidemiological research conducted in the UK on the causes of mortality in acromegaly. The results of this study are of undoubted importance and are likely to have an impact on how we manage this condition. Tim Bennett discusses recent insights into inherited disorders causing glucose intolerance and diabetes- this is a growing area, and it is evident that non immune mediated diabetes mellitus is slowly but surely being dissected into is specific genetic aetiologies, which are likely to have far reaching implications for the future therapeutic strategies of Type 11 diabetes mellitus. David Scott-Coombes makes a timely contribution to the debate on parathyoid surgery, and expatiates on the need to use surgeons with in-depth knowledge of the variable anatomy of the parathyroid, given the importance of the ‘first operation’, in the ultimate success of this operation. Mark Vanderpump, who has recently joined our editorial team, has made important contributions to the epidemiology of thyroid disease, and recently contributed to a successful British Endocrine Society symposium in Bournemouth. He discusses the evidence base for screening and treatment of thyroid disease in the community. Finally, Peter Hindmarsh discusses the management of the tall child, a difficult subject for most endocrinologists. His centre has been among the few to contribute to this area, and practitioners will appreciate and welcome his contribution.