Day #2

Another busy day. 

We met Tatyana soldatova, PhD who is the head of the ultrasound department. Dimitry showed us his FNA biopsy technique.

We were then presented a number of fascinating cases by fellows and attendings of the Endocrinology Research Center including:

- secondary hyperparathyroidism (ESRD on HD) with bone disease from Osteitis fibrosis cystica.

- new onset hyperpigmentation of unclear cause with a pituitary micronodule

- Acromegaly 

- Mccune Albright 

- Graves disease with severe eye manifestations (near blindness) and severe gout (tophi)

- MEN2a with medullary TC & pheo

- patient with classical CAH with adrenal rests in testis

- Thyrotoxicosis with cardiac dysfunction (Graves)

(photo of my hand next to hand of a man with long-standing acromegaly)

(severe gout in a man who also has Graves' disease)

After lunch, I presented interesting cases from my fellowship training to an audience of residents and physicians at the Endocrine Research Center. Topics included primary hyperparathyroidism and primary aldosteronism with discussion of the use and interpretation of AVS. The presentation was well-attended and there were questions and discussion regarding the management of asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism.

(At lunch we had a sweet drink made from boiled fruit... Daria says this is common in Russian homes where they often make it with fruit from their garden)

For dinner, our hosts took us to Cafe Pushkin, which is one of the most famous restaurants in Moscow. Our hosts ordered us a variety of classic Russian foods. We were also given a tour of the restaurant.

(Bill Clinton sat in this chair when he dined at this restaurant)

(Kofi Annan's chair)

(16-17th century books in the restaurant's library)

(Smoked salmon, sturgeon, caviar, pickled vegetables for appetizers)

(Sampling of Russian foods for dinner including 'Russian ravioli', beef stroganoff, blintz, and chicken Kiev)

(A Russian whiskey which they don't allow to be exported... The ice is made of frozen 'birch juice' which is a common beverage in Russia. It is produced by tapping the sap of a birch tree)