121. Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands question Flashcards
Which artery primarily supplies the cranial portion of the thyroid gland in dogs?
b) Cranial thyroid artery
The external parathyroid gland is usually located at which anatomical site relative to the thyroid gland?
b) Dorsolateral margin
What percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism have bilateral thyroid gland involvement?
c) 70-90%
Which of the following is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in cats?
b) Multinodular adenomatous hyperplasia
What is the first-line medical treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats?
b) Methimazole
In which breed is primary hyperparathyroidism most commonly seen?
c) Keeshond
What is the preferred treatment for canine thyroid carcinoma if the mass is freely movable?
b) Surgery
What is the most serious complication associated with bilateral thyroidectomy in cats?
b) Hypocalcemia
The primary effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is to:
b) Increase calcium levels
Which imaging modality is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats?
c) Scintigraphy with technetium-99m
True or False: The majority of thyroid tumors in dogs are benign adenomas.
FALSE
True or False: In cats, the caudal thyroid artery is often absent.
TRUE
True or False: The cranial thyroid artery is the first major branch of the common carotid artery in dogs.
TRUE
True or False: Calcitonin primarily functions to increase blood calcium levels.
FALSE
True or False: Thyroid hormone (T4) has a longer half-life than triiodothyronine (T3).
TRUE
True or False: Ectopic thyroid tissue is more commonly found in dogs than in cats.
FALSE
True or False: Parathyroid autotransplantation may be necessary if the external parathyroid gland is inadvertently removed during surgery.
TRUE
True or False: Hyperthyroid cats frequently present with hypertension.
FALSE
True or False: Scintigraphy is not effective in distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid masses in cats.
TRUE
True or False: Hypothyroidism is commonly seen after thyroidectomy in dogs.
FALSE
Describe the anatomical location of the thyroid glands in cats.
The thyroid glands in cats are located along the trachea, typically spanning the third to eighth tracheal rings, with a tan, flat appearance.
What is the function of calcitonin, and where is it produced?
Calcitonin is produced by parafollicular (C-cells) of the thyroid gland and functions to decrease blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption.
What is the primary cause of hyperthyroidism in cats?
The primary cause is benign multinodular adenomatous hyperplasia or adenoma of the thyroid gland.
List two potential complications of thyroidectomy in cats.
Hypocalcemia and laryngeal paralysis.
Explain why methimazole is used in the preoperative management of hyperthyroid cats.
Methimazole is used to achieve a euthyroid state, reducing metabolic stress on the body and minimizing surgical risks.
How does parathyroid hormone (PTH) affect the kidneys?
PTH increases renal calcium reabsorption and decreases phosphate reabsorption.
Why is thyroid scintigraphy performed before thyroid surgery?
To confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and to localize hyperactive thyroid tissue.
What is the main risk of performing bilateral carotid artery ligation during thyroid tumor removal in dogs?
It can lead to severe hypertension and tachycardia due to loss of baroreceptor function.
What dietary management option is available for cats with hyperthyroidism?
Feeding a low-iodine diet (e.g., Hill’s y/d) to reduce thyroid hormone production.
What are the indications for radioactive iodine therapy in cats with hyperthyroidism?
Radioactive iodine therapy is used to treat hyperthyroidism, particularly in cases with ectopic tissue or when surgery is contraindicated.
Explain the surgical approach to accessing the thyroid glands in dogs.
A ventral midline cervical approach is made from the larynx to the manubrium, separating the sternohyoideus muscles.
List three clinical signs commonly seen in dogs with thyroid carcinoma.
Coughing, dyspnea, and dysphagia.
What is the function of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
b) Increase calcium levels
Which of the following is a major complication of parathyroidectomy in dogs?
a) Hypocalcemia
What is the most common clinical sign of primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs?
c) Urinary tract infections
Which imaging technique is most useful in detecting parathyroid adenomas?
b) Ultrasound
What is the preferred treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs?
c) Surgery
True or False: Bilateral thyroidectomy always results in permanent hypothyroidism in cats.
FALSE
What is the primary reason for using methimazole in cats prior to thyroid surgery?
c) Induce a euthyroid state
Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing calcium absorption in the intestines?
b) Parathyroid hormone
List two clinical signs of hypocalcemia in cats following thyroidectomy.
Facial twitching and tetany.
What is the role of calcitriol in managing hypocalcemia?
Calcitriol increases calcium absorption in the intestines and decreases renal excretion of calcium.
What is the primary concern when treating hyperthyroid cats with methimazole long-term?
Potential side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, liver toxicity, and blood dyscrasias.
Which condition can be masked in cats by hyperthyroidism, making diagnosis difficult?
Chronic kidney disease.
What is the advantage of using radioactive iodine therapy in hyperthyroid cats?
It provides a permanent solution by selectively destroying hyperactive thyroid tissue.
Name one diagnostic test used to differentiate between hyperthyroidism and chronic renal disease in cats.
Serum total T4 concentration measurement.
Describe the impact of thyroid hormone excess on the cardiovascular system in cats.
Thyroid hormone excess leads to tachycardia, murmurs, and can cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Why might a beta-blocker be used in hyperthyroid cats preoperatively?
To control tachycardia and reduce cardiac workload.
How does thyroid hormone influence metabolism in the body?
It increases the basal metabolic rate and affects nearly every organ system.
Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing hyperthyroidism in cats?
Serum total T4 concentration measurement.
What are the common metastatic sites for thyroid carcinoma in dogs?
Lungs and regional lymph nodes.
Explain the importance of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy.
Damage to this nerve can result in laryngeal paralysis, affecting breathing and voice.
What is the role of the cranial thyroid artery in thyroid surgery?
It provides the main blood supply to the cranial portion of the thyroid gland.
Name one imaging modality used to detect ectopic thyroid tissue.
Scintigraphy.
What is the significance of finding ectopic parathyroid tissue in a cat during surgery?
It can affect calcium regulation and may require additional surgical management.
Describe the process of parathyroid autotransplantation.
The parathyroid gland is transplanted into nearby muscle tissue to restore function if blood supply is compromised.
What are the two main hormones secreted by the thyroid gland?
Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Why is calcium gluconate used in managing acute hypocalcemia?
It quickly increases serum calcium levels to alleviate symptoms of hypocalcemia.
Which breed of dog is genetically predisposed to primary hyperparathyroidism?
Keeshond.
True or False: Hyperthyroidism in dogs is usually associated with benign thyroid tumors.
FALSE
How does dietary iodine restriction help manage hyperthyroidism in cats?
It limits iodine availability, reducing thyroid hormone synthesis.
What is a potential risk of thyroidectomy in dogs with large, invasive tumors?
Severe hemorrhage due to high vascularization of the tumor.
List two non-surgical management options for hyperthyroidism in cats.
Methimazole therapy and iodine-restricted diet.
Which surgical technique is associated with the highest risk of hypocalcemia in cats after thyroidectomy?
b) Extracapsular
What is the major mechanism by which T3 affects cellular metabolism?
c) Enhancement of gene transcription
What percentage of dogs with thyroid carcinomas develop metastasis during the course of the disease?
d) 80%
In dogs, what is the most common clinical sign of a functional thyroid carcinoma?
b) Weight loss
What diagnostic test is used to differentiate between thyroid and non-thyroid cervical masses in dogs?
a) Fine needle aspirate cytology
Which hormone is responsible for the negative feedback regulation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion?
b) Thyroxine
Which of the following is the least likely site for metastasis of canine thyroid carcinoma?
d) Spleen
In cats, what is a common side effect of long-term methimazole therapy?
b) Thrombocytopenia
What is the typical histopathological feature of feline hyperthyroid adenomas?
b) Adenomatous hyperplasia
Which procedure is recommended for cats with suspected ectopic thyroid tissue after unsuccessful thyroidectomy?
c) Radioactive iodine therapy
True or False: Laryngeal paralysis is a potential complication of thyroidectomy in dogs.
TRUE
True or False: Dogs with non-functional thyroid tumors often present with symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
FALSE
True or False: Thyroid carcinoma is more common in cats than in dogs.
FALSE