Endocrine Flashcards
describe the anatomy of the thyroid gland
paired
bilobed
may or may not be joined by an isthmus
where is the thyroid gland typically located?
caudal to the larynx
ventrolateral to the trachea
which of the thyroid glands is more cranial?
right
at the level of what tracheal rings is the thyroid gland located?
5th - 8th
what structures are found surrounding the thyroid glands that are of surgical significance?
neurological structures
highly vascular
is thyroid tissue found only within the thyroid glands themselves?
no - ectopic tissue seen
where is ectopic thyroid tissue located?
midline from the tongue to the abdomen
what structure does the oesophagus sit in contact with?
left thyroid gland
what are functional thyroid conditions?
those where thyroid hormones are produced
what size are benign thyroid masses often in dogs?
small and rarely diagnosed
are benign thyroid masses in dogs functional or non-functional?
non-functional
are benign thyroid masses often seen in cats functional or non-functional?
functional and cause hyperthyroidism
what are the causes of 95% of all feline thyroid masses?
benign adenoma or adenomatous hyperplasia
in what species are malignant thyroid masses more common?
dogs
what are the common benign masses seen in the thyroid?
adenoma
adenomatous hyperplasia
what types of malignant neoplasia are seen in the thyroid?
carcinoma
adenocarcinoma
how many hyperthyroid cats have functional malignant tumors?
<5%
before thyroidectomy what are the key considerations for patients with a functional mass?
ASA grade
medical stabilisation as best as possible
likely complications discussed as a team and with owner
what are the main systemic effects of hyperthyroidism?
BCS/MCS
presence of metastasis
CVS
renal
ocular
what are the CVS effects of hyperthyroidism?
tachycardia
hypertension
what are the renal effects of hyperthyroidism?
pre-renal azotemia due to hypertension
what are the ocular signs of hyperthyroidism?
retinal detachment seen secondary to hypertension
what comorbidities are often seen in hyperthyroid patients?
CVS
renal
increased ASA grade
cachexia
arthritis
what has a major impact on thyroidectomy anaesthetic and outcome if a patient has a functional mass?
success of pre-op medical management
how can HR be decreased before thyroidectomy in patients with a functional mass?
antithyroid meds
how can hypertension be managed before thyroidectomy if patient is hyperthyroid?
atenolol
what is involved in stabilisation of a patient with a functional mass before thyroidectomy?
decrease HR
treat hypertension
support renal function
increase body weight
what may affect ASA grade of thyroidectomy patients with a non-functional mass?
BCS
metastasis
co-morbidities
what effect may non-functional thyroid masses have on BCS?
PNS/cancer may be having an impact
is medical stabilisation of patients with non-functional masses required pre-op?
no as non-functional
how can a thyroid mass be made more or less difficult to remove?
easier - discrete/mobile
harder - fixed, inflitrative
what will post op management of the non-functional thyroid mass patient involve?
depends on surgery (uni or bilateral)
discuss with vet
what clip is required for thyroidectomy?
level of the jaw to the thoracic inlet
out to jugular groove
what position should patients be in for thyroidectomy?
dorsal recumbency
neck kept straight
sandbag under neck to elevate
what must be considered when choosing to remove the thyroid gland?
is the parathyroid gland (s) going to be removed too
what can be done with the parathyroid gland if it is removed during thyroidectomy?
can be re-implanted into the surgical site to allow for neovascularisation
what are the risks associated with re-implanting parathyroid tissue?
tumour may be seeded
what is the advantage of modified extracapsular technique for thyroidectomy?
reduced risk of recurrence
what is the disadvantage of modified extracapsular technique for thyroidectomy?
increased risk of post op hypocalcaemia
what are the complications of thyroidectomy which are unrelated to surgical technique?
GA
unmasking of CRF
hypothyroidism
why may CRF be umasked following thryoidectomy?
hypertension caused by hyperthyroid resolves and as a result GFR is no longer adequate
what are the complications of thyroidectomy that are related to surgical technique and skill?
haemorrhage
seroma
laryngeal paralysis
horners
hypocalcaemia
recurrence
what type of thyroid mass often leads to haemorrhage during surgery?
canine invasive masses
how can laryngeal paralysis be caused during thyroidectomy?
damage to recurrent laryngeal nerve
how does horners syndroms occur following thyroidectomy?
damage to the sympathetic trunk
what are the signs of horners syndrome?
anisocoria
nictating membrane visible
how is hypocalcaemia caused following thyroidectomy?
deliberate or inadvertent damage to normal parathyroid tissue resulting in iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism
what can cause iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism?
arterial spasm
damage to tissue (deliberate or inadvertent)
what may be given pre and post operatively to support patients undergoing thyroidectomy who are at risk of hypoparathyroidism?
pre-op oral vitamin D
post op oral calcium
what does recurrence of thyroid tissue following thyroidectomy depend on?
presence of ectopic tissue
technique used
malignancy
where is ectopic thyroid tissue mostly seen?
chest
what are the most common thyroidectomy complications?
hypocalcaemia
recurrence
what is the parathyroid made up of?
2 pairs of parathyroid glands
what are the 4 parathyroid glands?
left extracapsular
right extracapsular
left intracapsular
right intracapsular
what parathyroid glands make up the cranial portion of the gland?
left and right extracapsular
what parathyroid glands make up the caudal portion of the gland?
left intracapsular
right intracapsular
what is secreted by the parathyroid gland?
parathyroid hormone
what is the role of parathyroid hormone?
increases blood calcium levels
in what animals is primary hyperparathyroidism seen?
dogs but uncommon
how can primary hyperparathyroidism be managed medically?
ethanol injection
heat ablation
how can primary hyperparathyroidism be managed surgically?
parathyroidectomy
what must be monitored for in the post op period following parathyroidectomy?
hypocalcaemia
why is hypocalcamia a risk following parathyroidectomy even if only one gland is removed?
hypercalcaemia seen prior
other glands atrophy due to over production by one - need time to recover and function normally
what is the prognosis for primary hyperparathyroidism?
95% if benign, functional adenoma
what may affect ASA grade of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy?
systemic effects of hyperparthyroidism
comorbidities unrelated to hyperparathyroidism
what organ system is affected by hypercalcaemia?
kidneys
how may hyperparathyroid patients be medically stabilised?
diuresis with furosomide
IVFT to dilute calcium
renal support
how should patients be clipped for parathyroidectomy?
jaw to thoracic inlet
out to jugular groove on either side - as for thyroidectomy
what position should patients be in for parathyroidectomy?
dorsal recumbancy
sandbag under neck to keep anatomy level
what is likely removed alongside caudal (intracapsular) parathyroid?
associated thyroid gland
what are the complications of parathyroidectomy which are unrelated to surgical technique?
GA
hypothyroidism
what are the complications of parathyroidectomy that are related to surgical technique?
haemorrhage
seroma
laryngeal paralysis
horners
hypoparathyroidism
what does risk of seroma following surgery relate to?
size of mass
why is hypoparathyroidism likely to be more severe in patients following parathyroidectomy?
3 remaining parathyroids function is suppressed by functional mass so there is a delay in the recovery of their function and hypocalcaemia can occur
what is involved in post op care for parathyroidectomy patients?
IVFT
analgesia
monitor for complications
what analgesia should be avoided following parathyroidectomy?
NSAIDs until kidney function known
what procedures pose highest risk of iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism?
bilateral thyroidectomy
unilateral parathyroidectomy
what is the risk of iatrogenic thyroid/parathyroid damage in patients undergoing unilateral thyroidectomy?
low risk hypocalcaemia
low risk hypothyroid
what is the risk of iatrogenic thyroid/parathyroid damage in patients undergoing bilateral thyroidectomy?
higher than unilateral risk of hypocalcaemia
hypothryoid due to complete thyroid resection
what is the risk of iatrogenic thyroid/parathyroid damage in patients undergoing unilateral parathyroidectomy?
highest risk of hypocalcaemia
low risk hypothyroid
what will influence risk of hypocalcaemia post thyroid/parathyroid surgery?
is function surpressed, normal or raised pre op
when should iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism be treated?
only if clinical signs seen
what are the initial signs of hypoparathyroidism?
inappetance
weakness/lethargy
ptyalism
pawing at face
what are the more advanced signs of iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism?
tremors
muscle fasiculation
tetany
seizures
coma
death
when are clinical signs of iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism seen following surgery?
within 2-3 days
how can post parathyroidectomy hypocalcaemia be avoided?
vitamin D administered 24-48 hours prior to surgery
when should vitamin D be administered to parathyroidectomy patients?
24-48 hours pre op
what is the role of vitamin D pre-op for parathyroidectomy patients?
increases calcium absorption from the GI tract
reduces calcium losses through the kidneys
what calcium value must be measured following parathyroidectomy?
ionised calcium as is unbound and so usable by the body
why should you wait for clinical signs rather than just blood results to treat hypocalcaemia?
calcium needs to drop below normal to encourage the other parathyroid glands to work
exogenous may suppress action even further
when should calcium levels be checked post op?
definitely 2-3 days following surgery
what are the treatment options for hypocalcaemia?
vitamin D
oral calcium
IV calcium
what is the purpose of giving oral vitamin D before parathyroid surgery?
prepares the body for a drop in calcium so can stimulate PT glands to work
how long does oral calcium therapy take to work?
1-3 days
how is calcium usually given?
oral - sent home with patient
what is found within oral calcium?
elemental calcium
in what form is calcium given IV?
10% calcium gluconate
how should IV calcium be given?
over 10-20 mins
when is IV calcium gluconate given?
if clinical signs
if levels of calcium VERY low
what monitoring is needed when patients are receiving calcium IV?
ECG
what may be seen on ECG when giving calcium gluconate?
arrhythmia
bradycardia
what types of IV fluids should be avoided if calcium gluconate has been given?
bicarbonate
lactate
phosphate
why should bicarbonate, lactate or phosphate containing fluids be avoided in patients receiving calcium gluconate?
precipitate calcium
should calcium gluconate be given IV?
no recommended - skin may slough
is pancreatic anatomy the same in cats and dogs?
cats sometimes have a second accessory duct
where is the right limb of the pancreas located?
next to duodenum
where is the left limb of the pancreas located?
next to spleen
where does the body of the pancreas sit?
close to pancreatic ducts and common bile duct
what are the main pancreatic surgical conditions?
insulinoma
exocrine pancreatic neoplasia
pancreatic abscessation
pancreatic cysts
what is the main endocrine surgical condition of the pancreas?
insulinoma
what type of tumour is an insulinoma?
malignant carcinoma
what are the main indications of insulinoma?
hypoglycaemia (<2 mmol/L) in a standing dog
lethargy
tremors
seizures
collapse
peripheral neuropathy
what level of hypoglycaemia is associated with insulinoma?
<2 mmol/L
how is insulinoma diagnosed?
bloods for insulin / glucose ratio
imaging
how can patients with insulinomas cope with such low blood glucose levels?
adjustment over time as decreases slowly
how should insulinoma patients be managed pre-op?
feed diabetic food
feed every 4-6 hours
gentle and regular exercise
how often should insulinoma patients be fed pre-op?
every 4-6 hours
how should hypoglycaemic crisis due to insulinoma be managed?
oral glucose where possible
what is the issue with using IV glucose for insulinoma patients in hypoglycaemic crisis?
can cause mass to produce even more insulin as placed directly into the blood vessel
how is an insulinoma hypoglycaemic crisis managed?
oral glucose
one off IV 50% dextrose
glucose infusion
how is insulinoma treated?
partial pancreatectomy
what glucose supplementation is required during partial pancreatectomy for insulinoma?
5% dextrose infusion
what is essential when handling the pancreas?
gentle to reduce pancreatitis risk
where can insulinomas metastasise?
liver
what is the impact of micrometastasis from insulinoma?
patient will continue to be hypoglycaemic
how should post-op insulinoma patients be fed?
as pre-op
Q4-6h
diabetic food
how should post-op insulinoma patients be exercised?
as pre op initially