List of instruments used in endocrinology

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Endocrinology is a branch of internal medicine dealing with hormones, the chemical messengers released internally to regulate the body's physiologic functions. [1] [2] Endocrinologists diagnose and manage diseases of endocrine glands, including hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic islets, adrenals, testes, and ovaries. Some of the most common conditions treated are diabetes mellitus, diseases of the thyroid gland, metabolic bone disorders, pituitary disorders, and disorders of the reproductive system and infertility; in children, typical conditions are growth deficiency, delay of puberty, and a variety of genetic disorders. In endocrinology, diagnosis is heavily relied on laboratory tests, as it is important to find out diseases before they actually become clinically evident; [2] still, medical history and physical examination remain indispensable. [3] As a branch of internal medicine, practice of endocrinology makes use of common medical instruments, used by all or most clinical specialties, like the stethoscope or the sphygmomanometer. The following list does not include these, but only instruments that have relatively specific uses central to endocrinology (but not necessarily limited to it). They are either utilized by the physician (generally the endocrinologist themselves, or potentially by a different specialist, like a radiologist) for diagnosis or treatment; or prescribed for patient use.

Contents

Instrument list

InstrumentDescriptionUsesImage
General
Ultrasound system A console, or a portable system, which includes a monitor and a transducer, and utilizes ultrasound to image body tissues.To image the thyroid and parathyroid glands and neck lymph nodes; also, to guide diagnostic fine needle aspiration [4] or therapeutic ethanol injection to these organs. [5] To evaluate testes (scrotal ultrasound) and ovaries (pelvic ultrasound). [6] AlokaPhoto2006a.jpg
Diabetes
Continuous glucose monitor Consists of a sensor electrode (implanted or disposable) that measures glucose concentration in the interstitial fluid, and a receiver device where the measurements are sent through by a transmitter to be displayed.To automatically measure glucose at regular intervals (e.g. every 5–15 minutes). Measurements can be displayed to the patient continuously, or after scanning the device. An alarm may sound to notify of measured or predicted hyper- or hypoglycemia. [7] [8] BGM twopart.JPG
Glucose meter A portable electronic device that takes single-use strips, where a drop of blood is placed. Allows self-monitoring by the patient.To measure blood glucose [9] Blood Glucose Testing.JPG
Insulin pen A portable drug-delivery device, comprising an insulin container (prefilled for disposable pens, or refillable with cartridges); a dialing system to select the dose (in increments of 0.5 or 1 Unit); and a button which delivers the drug when pressed; disposable needles are attached prior to each use.To administrate insulin under the skin. [10] Smart insulin pens have been developed that wirelessly connect to mobile apps, to log doses and variously facilitate therapy. [11] Inzulinova pera.jpg
Insulin pump A small, portable pump, which delivers insulin from a container, via a plastic tubule and a cannula, under the skin.To continuously infuse fast-acting insulin that covers the basal insulin needs of the body, and also bolus doses as needed for meals or high glucose values. Pumps can be augmented with continuous glucose monitors, to better control insulin administration. [12] Insulin pump with infusion set.jpg
Lancing device A portable instrument that takes single-use needles or lancets. It contains a spring, which is cocked and released by buttons. Once loaded, the device is held against a fingertip, and upon release the spring drives the lancet to prick the skin rapidly, and thereby less painfully. It also includes a controlling system to alter the penetration depth.To produce a drop of capillary blood for blood sugar testing. [13] Testing Blood Sugar Levels.jpg
Thyroid gland disorders
Hertel exophthalmometer A system of mirrors or prisms that projects a lateral view of the eye against a ruler that measures the distance from the lateral canthus to the anterior surface of the cornea To evaluate the prominence of the eye, which increases in hyperthyroidism [14] [15] Exophthalmometer.jpg
Luedde exophthalmometerA transparent ruler, held against the lateral rim of the orbit To evaluate the prominence of the eye [15]
Disorders of male sex hormones
Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity device A wearable device including loop transducers that are wrapped around the penis, which connects to a microcomputer.To evaluate nocturnal erections end male sexual potency [16] [17]
Prader orchidometer A string of testicle-shaped beads of increasing size [18] [19] To measure, by comparison, the size of testicles [19] Orchidometr.png
Seager orchidometerA calliper To measure the long axis of the testicle [19]

See also

References

  1. Becker, KL; Nylén, ES; et al. (2001). "Endocrinology and the endocrine patient". In Becker, KL (ed.). Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 2–8. ISBN   9780781717502 . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 Jameson, JL (2015). "Principles of endocrinology". In Jameson, JL; De Groot, LJ (eds.). Endocrinology: Adult and pediatric. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 3–15. ISBN   9780323321952 . Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  3. Loriaux, L (2016). "Clinical endocrinology: A personal view". In Kronenberg, H; Polonsky, KS; et al. (eds.). Williams textbook of endocrinology (13th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 12–17. ISBN   9780323297387 . Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  4. Sofferman, RA (2012). "Practical Concepts of Ultrasound". In Sofferman, RA; Ahuja, A (eds.). Ultrasound of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. Springer New York. pp. 21–38. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-0974-8_3. ISBN   9781461409748 . Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. Frasoldati, A; Tsamatropoulos, P; et al. (2017). "Percutaneous Ethanol Injection (PEI) for Thyroid Cysts and Other Neck Lesions". In Duick, D; Levine, R; et al. (eds.). Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided FNA. Cham: Springer. pp. 429–464. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-67238-0_14. ISBN   978-3-319-67238-0 . Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. Pozzilli, P; Lenzi, A; et al. (2013). "Gonads". Imaging in endocrinology. Wiley. pp. 155–205. doi:10.1002/9781118749081. ISBN   9780470656273 . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  7. Klonoff, DC; Ahn, D; et al. (November 2017). "Continuous glucose monitoring: A review of the technology and clinical use" . Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 133: 178–192. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2017.08.005. PMID   28965029 . Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  8. ElSayed, NA; Aleppo, G; et al. (January 2023). "7. Diabetes Technology". Diabetes Care. Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023. 46 (Suppl 1): S111-27. doi:10.2337/dc23-S007. PMC   9810474 . PMID   36507635 . Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  9. Goldfine, AB (2001). "Evaluation of metabolic control in diabetes". In Becker, KL (ed.). Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 1336. ISBN   9780781717502 . Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  10. Pearson, TL (May 2010). "Practical aspects of insulin pen devices". Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 4 (3): 522–531. doi:10.1177/193229681000400304. PMC   2901027 . PMID   20513316.
  11. Klonoff, DC; Hsiao, V; et al. (2011). "Insulin pens and devices to track insulin doses". In Klonoff, DC; Kerr, D; et al. (eds.). Diabetes digital health. Elsevier. pp. 195–204. ISBN   978-0-12-817485-2 . Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  12. Reznik, Y; Deberles, E (2019). "Subcutaneous insulin pumps". In Reznik, Y (ed.). Handbook of diabetes technology. Cham: Springer. pp. 23–36. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-98119-2. ISBN   978-3-319-98118-5 . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  13. Walker, RA (2020). The Diabetes Handbook. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 32. ISBN   9780241504062 . Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  14. Nerad, JA (2010). Techniques in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery (1st ed.). Saunders Elsevier. p. 392. ISBN   9781437700084 . Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  15. 1 2 Alper, MG; Wartofsky, L (2001). "Endocrine ophthalmopathy". In Becker, KL (ed.). Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 432. ISBN   9780781717502 . Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  16. Qin, F; Gao, L; et al. (August 2018). "Advantages and limitations of sleep-related erection and rigidity monitoring: a review" . Int J Impot Res. 30 (4): 192–201. doi:10.1038/s41443-018-0032-8. PMID   29855552 . Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  17. Cunningham, GR; Hirshkowitz, M (2001). "Erectile dysfunction". In Becker, KL (ed.). Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1159–1172. ISBN   9780781717502 . Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  18. Martine, E, ed. (2015). Concise medical dictionary (Ninth ed.). Oxford: OUP. p. 540. ISBN   9780191059575 . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 Niederberger, C (2011). "Clinical evaluation of the male". In Niederberger, C (ed.). An Introduction to Male Reproductive Medicine. Cambridge University Press. p. 38. ISBN   9781139493932 . Retrieved 19 February 2024.