anterior pituitary Flashcards
what is a pituitary adenoma
benign tumor of the pituitary cells. the tumors can be functional or nonfunctional.
what is a common visual disturbance of pituitary adenoma
bilateral temporal hemianopsia. due to compression of the optic chiasm.
what are 2 other common presentations of pituitary adenoma
headache and hypopituitarism due to compression of the healthy tissue.
what is a prolactinoma and how does it present?
it is a functional pituitary tumor that secretes prolactin. it presents as galactorrhea and amenorrhea in females or as decreased libido and headache in males. this is the most common type of pituitary adenoma.
how do we treat prolactinoma medically?
with dopamine agonists because they inhibit the release of prolactin. such as bromocriptine or cabergoline. this will suppress prolactin production and shrink the tumor.
how does a growth hormone adenoma present in children? how about adults? why?
gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults. growth before the fusion of the epiphysis will result in extended growth.
how do acromegalic adults present?
enlarged bones of the hands, feet and jaw. there is growth of the visceral organs that result in cardiac failure. enlarged tongue.
what common metabolic disturbances are there in growth hormone adenoma? why
there is secondary DM. this is because growth hormone induces the liver to gluconeogenesis and thus hyperglycemia
how do we diagnose GH adenoma?
by elevated levels of GH and IGF-1. there will be a lack of GH suppression with glucose intake.
treatment for GH adenoma? Medical?
octereotide. this is a somatostatin analog that suppresses GH release. can apply some GH receptor antagonists and surgery as well.
ACTH adenoma
functional that secretes ACTH. leads to cushings syndrome
hypopituitarism general characteristics
insuf production of hormones by the anterior pituitary.
when do the symptoms of hypopituitarism arise?
when 75% of the parenchyma of the pituitary is lost.
common causes of hypopituitarism?
adenoma in adults, craniopharyngeoma in children. typically due to hemorrhage in the pituitary causing apoplexy. sheehan syndrome during pregnancy
how does hypopituitarism present?
hair loss, poor lactation, LOSS OF PUBIC HAIR, fatigue.
central dibetes insipidus etiology?
ADH deficiency due to hypothalamic or posterior pituitary pathology.
what are the clinical features of DI
based on the loss of free water. polyuria, polydipsia, and risk of life-threatening dehydration. hypernatremia and high serum osmolarity. low urine osmolarity and specific gravity.
what are the results of a water deprivation test for DI?
there is a lack to appropriately concentrate the urine.
treatment for central DI
give vasopressin or analogs.
nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
there is an impaired renal response to ADH. usually due to inherited mutations or to drugs.
which drugs cause nephrogenic DI
lithium and demeclocycline
clinical features of nephrogenic DI
same symptoms as central, but with no response to desmopressin
syndrome of inappropriate ADH
there is excessive secretion of ADH most often due to an ectopic source.
most common ectopic source of SIADH
small cell lung carcinoma
what are the clinical features of SIADH
based on the retention of free water. hyponatremia and low serum osmolality. mental status changes and seizures.
treatment for SIADH
water restriction or demeclocycline
thyroglassal duct tumor
cystic dilation of the thyroglossal duct remnant. presents as a neck mass anteriorly.
lingual thyroid
presence of thyroid tissue at the base of the tongue. presents as a base of tongue mass.
what causes the clinical syndrome of hyperthyroidism?
there is an increased level of circulating thyroid hormone and this causes higher production of Na/KATPase and higher transcription of adrenergic receptors throughout the body (beta 1 most specifically). this causes all the clinical symptoms