CH15 - Endocrine Pathology Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
Group of glands that maintain body homeostasis
How does the endocrine system function?
by release of hormones that travel via blood to distant organs
In the endocrine system, what controls hormone release?
Feedback mechanisms control hormone release.
What is pituitary adenoma?
Benign tumor of anterior pituitary celts
Is the pituitary adenoma functional or nonfunctional?
May be functional (hormone-producing) or nonfunctional (silent)
What do nonfunctional pituitary adenoma tumors often present with?
mass effect resulting in bitemporal hemianopsia, hypopituitarism, headache
How does bitemporal hemianopsia occur in nonfunctional pituitary adenoma?
Its due to compression of the optic chiasm
How does hypopituitarism occur in nonfunctional pituitary adenoma?
due to compression of normal pituitary tissue
What do functional pituitary adenoma tumors present with?
Features are based on the type of hormone produced.
What does Prolactinoma presents as?
galactorrhea and amenorrhea (females) or as decreased libido and headache (males)
What is the most common type of pituitary adenoma?
prolactinoma
What is the treatment of prolactinoma?
Treatment is dopamine agonists (eg bromocriptine or cabergoline) to suppress prolactin production (shrinks tumor) or surgery for larger lesions.
What is seen in growth hormone cell adenoma?
Gigantism in children, acromegaly in adults, diabetes mellitus
What is seen in growth hormone cell adenoma in children?
Gigantism in children; increased linear bone growth (epiphyses are not fused)
What is seen in growth hormone cell adenoma in adults?
Acromegaly in adults;1) Enlarged bones of hands, feet, and jaw 2) Growth of visceral organs leading to dysfunction (e.g., cardiac failure) 3) Enlarged tongue
Why is secondary diabetes mellitus often present in growth hormone cell adenoma?
GH induces liver gluconeogenesis
How is growth hormone cell adenoma diagnosed?
by elevated GH and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels along with lack of GH suppression by oral glucose
What is the treatment for growth hormone cell adenoma?
It is octreotide (somatostatin analog that suppresses GH release), GH receptor antagonists, or surgery.
What is seen in ACTH cell pituitary adenomas?
they secrete ACTH leading to Cushing syndrome
What pituitary adenoma tumors occur rarely?
TSH cell, LH-producing, and FSH-producing adenomas occur, but are rare
What is hypopituitarism?
Insufficient production of hormones by the anterior pituitary gland
When do symptoms for hypopituitarism arise?
when > 75% of the pituitary parenchyma is lost
What are the causes for hypopituitarism?
1) Pituitary adenomas (adults) or craniopharyngioma (children) 2) Sheehan syndrome 3) Empty sella syndrome
What is a cause for hypopituitarism in children?
Craniopharyngioma
What is a cause for hypopituitarism in adults?
Pituitary adenomas
What are pituitary adenomas (adults) or craniopharyngioma (children) resulting in hypopituitarism due to?
mass effect or pituitary apoplexy (bleeding into an adenoma)
In hypopituitarism, what is sheehan syndrome?
pregnancy-related infarction of the pituitary gland
In Sheehan syndrome, what happens?
The gland doubles in size during pregnancy, but blood supply does not increase significantly; blood loss during parturition precipitates infarction.
What does Sheehan syndrome present as?
poor lactation, loss of pubic hair, and fatigue
What is empty sella syndrome?
It?s a congenital defect of the sella where herniation of the arachnoid and CSF into the sella compresses and destroys the pituitary gland, which is absent (empty sella) on imaging.
What hormones are the hormones of the posterior pituitary?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin are made in the hypothalamus and then transported via axons to the posterior pituitary for release.
On what does ADH act?
on the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney to promote free water retention
What does oxytocin mediate?
uterine contraction during labor and release of breast milk (let-down) in lactating mothers
What is central diabetes insipidus?
ADH deficiency
What is central diabetes insipidus due to?
hypothalamic or posterior pituitary pathology (e.g., tumor, trauma, infection, or inflammation)
What are the clinical features for central diabetes insipidus based on?
loss of free water
What are the clinical features for central diabetes insipidus?
- Polyuria and polydipsia with risk of life-threatening dehydration 2. Hypernatremia and high serum osmolality 3. Low urine osmolality and specific gravity
What is useful for the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus?
Water deprivation test fails to increase urine osmolality (useful for diagnosis),
What is the treatment for central diabetes insipidus?
desmopressin (ADH analog)
What is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Impaired renal response to ADH
What is nephrogenis diabetes insipidus due to?
inherited mutations or drugs (e.g lithium and demeclocycline)
What are the clinical features for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
They are similar to central diabetes insipidus, but there is no response to desmopressin
What is SIADH?
Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
What is the result of SIADH?
Excessive ADH secretion
What is SIADH most often due to?
ectopic production (e.g., small cell carcinoma of the lung);
What are some other causes (beside ectopic production) for SIADH?
include CNS trauma, pulmonary infection, and drugs (eg cyclophosphamide)
What are the clinical features for SIADH based on?
retention of free water
What are the clinical features for SIADH?
- Hyponatremia and low serum osmolality 2. Mental status changes and seizures?Hyponatremia leads to neuronal swelling and cerebral edema.
In SIADH, why are there mental status changes and seizures?
Since hyponatremia leads to neuronal swelling and cerebral edema
What is the treatment for SIADH?
it is free water restriction or demeclocycline
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst?
cystic dilation of thyroglossal duct remnant
How does the thyroid develop?
It develops at the base of tongue and then travels along the thyroglossal duct to the anterior neck. Thyroglossal duct normally involutes; a persistent duct, however, may undergo cystic dilation,
How does a thyroglossal duct cyst present?
Presents as an anterior neck mass
What is a lingual thyroid?
Its persistence of thyroid tissue at the base of the tongue
How does a lingual thyroid present?
as a base of tongue mass
What is hyperthyroidism?
It is increased levels of circulating thyroid hormone
What is the effect of hyperthyroidism?
It increases the basal metabolic rate (due to increased synthesis of Na-K ATPase) and Increases sympathetic nervous system activity (due to increased expression of beta-adrenergic receptors)
What are the clinical features for hyperthyroidism?
- Weight loss despite increased appetite 2. Heat intolerance and sweating 3. Tachycardia with increased cardiac output 4. Arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation), especially in the elderly 5. Tremor, anxiety, insomnia, and heightened emotions 6. Staring gaze with lid lag 7. Diarrhea with malabsorption 8. Oligomenorrhea ( T3/T4 increases sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) secretion from the liver->decreasing free estradiol Since higher free-estradiol concentrations ->ovulation-inducing LH-spike, decreased free-estradiol decrease probability of the LH-spike occurring.) 9. Bone resorption with hypercalcemia (risk for osteoporosis) 10. Decreased muscle mass with weakness 11. Hypocholesterolemia 12. Hyperglycemia (due to gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis)
What is graves disease?
Autoantibody (IgG) that stimulates TSH receptor (type II hypersensitivity) in the thyroid
What does Graves disease lead to?
increased synthesis and release of thyroid hormone
What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Graves disease
In whom does Graves disease classically occur?
in women of childbearing age (20-40 years)
What are the clinical features of Graves disease?
- Hyperthyroidism 2. Diffuse goiter 3. Exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema
In Graves disease why is there diffuse goiter?
constant TSH stimulation leading to thyroid hyperplasia and hypertrophy
In Graves disease, what happens in exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema?
1) fibroblasts behind the orbit and overlying the shin express the TSH receptor. 2) TSH activation results in glycosaminoglycan (chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid) buildup, -> exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema.
In Graves disease, what is seen on histology?
Irregular follicles with scalloped colloid (The over-active epithelial cells are taller with more cytoplasm and larger, pale-staining, nuclei. In this follicle they are extracting stored thyroid colloid from the lumen and converting it into active thyroid hormones. The scalloped pale edge of the colloid indicates where the colloid has been removed from the follicle lumen.) and chronic inflammation are seen on histology
What are the laboratory findings for Graves disease?
1) Increase in total and free T4, decreased TSH 2) Hypocholesterolemia (T3 Upregulates gene expression of LDL receptors->uptake of LDL from blood.) 3) Increased serum glucose (Incr gluconeogensis and glycogenolysis)
In Graves disease, why is there decreased TSH?
free T4 down regulates TRH receptors in the anterior pituitary to decrease TSH release
What is the treatment for Graves disease?
it involves beta-blockers, thioamide (inhibits the enzyme thyroid peroxidase in the thyroid), and radioiodine ablation.
What is a complication of Graves disease?
Thyroid storm (worst form of thyrotoxicosis) is a potentially fatal complication
What is thyroid storm due to?
Thyroid hormone increases sensitivity to catecholamines. Therefore, any stressor (e.g., surgery or childbirth) that causes an outpouring of catecholamines (Epi, NE, and DA) -> thyroid storm.
What dose thyroid storm present as?
Extreme response to arrhythmia, hyperthermia, and vomiting with hypovolemic shock
What is the treatment for thyroid storm?
It is propylthiouracil (PTU - PTU inhibits the enzyme thyroperoxidase), beta-blockers, and steroids
How does PTU treat thyroid storm?
it inhibits peroxidase-mediated oxidation, organification, and coupling steps of thyroid hormone synthesis, as well as peripheral conversion of T4 to T3
What is a multinodular goiter?
Enlarged thyroid gland with multiple nodules
What is a multinodular goiter due to?
relative iodine deficiency
Are multinodular goiters toxic or nontoxic?
Usually nontoxic (euthyroid), rarely, regions become TSH-independent leading to increased release and hyperthyroidism - toxic goiter
What is hypothyroidism?
Cretinism and myxedema
What is cretinism?
Hypothyroidism in neonates and infants
What is cretinism characterized by?
mental retardation, short stature with skeletal abnormalities, coarse facial features, enlarged tongue, and umbilical hernia
Why does hypothyroidism result in cretinism?
Thyroid hormone is required for normal brain and skeletal development.
What are the causes for cretinism?
Causes include maternal hypothyroidism during early pregnancy, thyroid agenesis, dyshormonogenetic goiter (inherited defects in thyroid hormone synthesis), and iodine deficiency.
What is dyshormonogenetic goiter due to?
its a congenital defect in thyroid hormone production; most commonly involves thyroid peroxidase
What is myxedema?
hypothyroidism in older children or adults
What are the clinical features for myxedema based on?
Its based on decreased basal metabolic rate and decreased sympathetic nervous system activity
What is myxedema?
accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin and soft tissue;
What does myxedema result in?
1) a deepening of voice and large tongue, 2) Weight gain despite normal appetite, 3) slowing of mental activity, 4) Muscle weakness, 5) Cold intolerance with decreased sweating, 6) Bradycardia with decreased cardiac output, 7) leading to shortness of breath and fatigue 8) Oligomenorrhea (In HYPOthyroidism, the mechanism for amenorrhea is decreased free T3/T4 causing upregulation of TRH-> increased prolactin secretion, which decreases LH/FSH secretion) 9) Hypercholesterolemia 10) Constipation
What are the most common causes for myxedema?
iodine deficiency and Hashimoto thyroiditis;
What are some other causes for myxedema aside from iodine deficiency and Hashimoto thyroiditis?
drugs (e.g., lithium) and surgical removal or radioablation of the thyroid
What is involved in thyroiditis?
Hashimoto thyroiditis, subacute granulomatous (De Quervian) thyroiditis and Reidel Fibrosing Thyroditis
What is hashimoto thyroiditis?
Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland; associated with HLA-DR5
What is the frequency of hashimoto thyroiditis as a cause of hypothyroidism?
Its the most common cause of hypothyroidism in regions where iodine levels are adequate
What are the clinical features for hashimoto thyroiditis?
1) Initially may present as hyperthyroidism (due to follicle damage -> leakage of T3/T4) 2) Progresses to hypothyroidism; decreased T4 and increased TSH
What antibodies may be present in hashimoto thyroiditis, and what is it a sign of?
Antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies are often present (sign of thyroid damage but not the insulting Ab that caused the disease)
In hashimoto thyroiditis, what is seen on histology?
Chronic inflammation with germinal centers and Hurthle cells (eosinophilic metaplasia of cells that line follicles)
What are Hurthle cells?
eosinophilic metaplasia of cells that line follicles
In Hashimoto thyroiditis, what is there an increased risk for?
B-cell (marginal zone) lymphoma; presents as an enlarging thyroid gland late in disease course secondary to germinal center formation
What happens in subacute granulomatous (De Quervian) thyroiditis?
Granulomatous thyroiditis that follows a viral infection
How does subacute granulomatous (De Quervian) thyroiditis present?
as a tender thyroid with transient hyperthyroidism
What does subacute granulomatous (De Quervian) thyroiditis progress to?
Self-limited; does not progress to hypothyroidism
What is reidel fibrosing thyroditis?
chronic inflammation with extensive fibrosis of the thyroid gland
What does reidel fibrosing thyroditis present as?
hypothyroidism with a hard as wood, nontender thyroid gland
In reidel fibrosing thyroditis what might be involved in the fibrosis?
it may extend to involve local structures (eg. airway).
What does reidel fibrosing thyroditis clinically mimic?
anaplastic carcinoma, but patients are younger (40s), and malignant cells are absent
What are the thyroid neoplasias?
Follicular adenoma, papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma
What does thyroid neoplasia usually present as?
a distinct, solitary nodule
Are thyroid nodules benign or malignant?
Thyroid nodules are more likely to be benign than malignant,
In thyroid neoplasia what studies are conducted?
I-131 radioactive uptake studies are useful to further characterize the nodules of thyroid neoplasia
What happens as a result of I-131 radioactive uptake studies?
Either increased or decreased uptake
In I-131 studies, what does an increased uptake indicate?
(hot nodule) which is seen in Graves disease or nodular goiter