Adrenal Gland Pathology Flashcards
Addison disease is also known as (2)
primary adrenocortical insufficiency
chronic primary hypoadrenalism
what is Addison disease?
endocrine disorder that results from the hypofunction of the adrenal cortex
in Addison disease, the cortex inadequately secretes ___ resulting from partial or complete destruction of the adrenal glands
corticosteroids
4 causes of Addison disease
idiopathic
autoimmune disorder
infection
tuberculosis
ultrasound appearance of Addison disease (2)
acute = enlarged adrenal glands
chronic = atropic or calcified
signs/symptoms of Addison disease (4)
hypotension
weakness/fatigue
weight loss
hyperpigmentation
lab values of Addison disease (4)
elevated liver enzymes
hyperkalemia
hyponatremia
elevated ACTH
T/F: ultrasound is the modality choice to diagnose Addison disease
FALSE - CT
Cushing syndrome results from (2)
anterior pituitary gland tumor or adrenal tumor
ultrasound appearance of Cushing
possible identification of an adrenal mass (adrenal adenoma)
signs/symptoms of Cushing (8)
obesity
buffalo hump
HTN
moon-shaped face
hirsutism (excessive hair growth in women)
red/purple striae over the ABD and thighs
hyperglycemia
thinning arms & legs
Conn syndrome is also known as ____
primary hyperaldosteronism
signs/symptoms of Conn syndrome (3)
HTN
excessive thirst & urination
muscle cramps & weakness
lab values of Conn syndrome (2)
hypernatremia (increase sodium)
hypokalemia (decrease potassium)
what is the most common benign solid mass of the adrenal glands?
adrenal adenoma
adrenal adenomas in Cushing’s and Conn syndrome are ____
hyperfunctioning
CT or MRI may be needed to differentiate adrenal adenomas from masses arising from ___ or ___
liver or kidneys
ultrasound appearance of adrenal adenomas (2)
solid
hypoechoic
pheochromocytoma arises from the ___
adrenal medulla
what is pheochromocytoma?
hyperfunctioning, benign mass that causes the adrenal gland to release excessive amounts of epinephrine and norepinephrine
pheochromocytoma can be ___
malignant
ultrasound appearance of pheochromocytoma (3)
large
hyperechoic or hypoechoic
diffusely heterogenous
signs/symptoms of pheochromocytoma (6)
uncontrollable HTN
headaches
tachycardia
tremors
anxiety
excessive sweating
adrenal cysts are difficult to separate from (3)
liver
spleen
upper pole of the kidneys
adrenal cysts with a _____ should be worrisome for malignancy
rim of calcification
what are adrenal rests?
accessory adrenal gland tissue
adrenal rests are found within the (4)
testes
epididymis
ovaries
inguinal canal
adrenal rests are associated with (2)
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Cushings
adrenal carcinoma (adenocarcinoma) is ____
rare
adrenal glands are the ____ most common site of metastasis
4th most common
adrenal metastasis can originate in (6)
lungs
breast
GI tract
thyroid
pancreas
kidneys
adrenal metastasis can originate from (3)
lymphoma
leukemia
melanoma
ultrasound appearance of adrenal carcinoma (2)
solid, hypoechoic
large, heterogenous
adrenal carcinoma signs and symptoms mimic those of ___
Cushings
what is the most common extracranial solid, malignant tumor in children?
neuroblastoma
neuroblastomas arise from the ___
adrenal medulla
neuroblastomas typically present before age ____
5 years old
neuroblastoma median age of diagnosis is ___
22 months
ultrasound appearance of neuroblastoma (3)
large, heterogenous mass of calcification
hemorrhage
metastasis
signs/symptoms of neuroblastoma (3)
palpable abdominal mass
ABD pain
bone pain
what is adrenal hemorrhage a result of?
spontaneous hemorrhage in neonates after a traumatic birth or perinatal anoxia
ultrasound appearance of adrenal hemorrhage (4)
round or triangular
acute = echogenic
over time = heterogenous, hypoechoic, and possibly cystic
residual calcifications following resolution of hemorrhage
most common neonatal adrenal mass
adrenal hemorrhage
