Adrenal Gland Flashcards
What is a pheochromocytoma
it is a tumour of the medulla of the adrenal glands, causing excess nor adrenaline and adrenalin to be release.
It causes malignant hypertension
What is the pheochromocytoma 10% Rule?
10% bilateral
10 % Extra adrenal
10% Malignant
10% familial
10% associated with MEN 2 syndrome (neurofibromatosis type 2)
What are the features you get with a pheochromocytoma
- Sweating
- Headache
- Sudden increase in Blood pressure to >200 (malignant hypertension)
- increased HR
- Palpitations
- Visual disturbances
- fits and confusion
- abdominal pain
- constipation
What is the diagnostic test for a pheochromocytoma
3 x 24 hr catecholamine urine collection.
+ CT abdo
What is the treatment for pheochromocytoma
- Alpha blockers (labetalol) before beta blockers
2. resection of the tumour
what are the complications of pheochromocytoma
- Arrythmia
- MI
- Stroke
- Cardiomyopathy
- Coma
- Death
What is the definition of Addison’s
aldosterone and cortisol deficiency
What are the most common causes of Addison’s
- AI destruction (developed world)
- TB (developing world)
- Lymphoma
- Infections
- Congenital
What causes an addisons crisis
Sudden stress on the body, meaning that more cortisol and aldosterone are required, putting more stress on the non functioning adrenals.
What are the features of an addisons crisis?
- Nausea and vomiting
- fever
- Shock
- Low glucose
- low sodium
- low potassium
What is the definition of CAH
This is a congenitally enlarged adrenal gland however the patient is lacking in 21-hydroxylase so is unable to secrete cortisol and aldosterone
What are the features of CAH
- Ambiguous genitalia
- Salt loosing crisis (in young males)
- Dehydrated
- Low glucose
- heart arrhythmias
- no or late puberty
What is conns syndrome
this is a tumour of the adrenal cortex, which secretes aldosterone
What are the features of conns syndrome
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