Endocrine Flashcards
A benign tumor
(adenoma) of the
pituitary gland made of
prolactin secreting cells
Prolactinoma
A benign tumor
(adenoma of the
pituitary gland made
of growth hormone
secreting cells
Somatotrophic Adenomas
- Gigantism (Pre-puberty)
– Longitudinal skeletal growth - Acromegaly (Post-puberty)
– Enlargement of acral parts of
the extremities (fingers, hands,
toes, tongue, jaw and nose)
– Enlarged internal organs
(heart)
– Metabolic disturbances (mass
effects)
– Headaches (mass effects)
Somatotrophic Adenomas
Signs & Symptoms
Most microadenoma’s are recognized by the
signs and symptoms of
Cushing’s Disease
A benign tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland
made of ACTH secreting cells.
– Unknown cause
Corticotrophic Adenomas
Endocrine disorder of the
posterior pituitary affecting the
metabolism of water in the
body (lack of ADH)
Most commonly caused form
decrease blood flow to the
pituitary.
* Tumor compression, infection
of brain or meninges,or
hemorrhage
Diabetes Insipidus
Def”n: disorder in which part of the skull where the
pituitary gland is housed (sella turcica) is partially or
fully filled with CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
* Causes: Most are unknown
Empty Sella Syndrome
S&S Usually none, however many patients suffer with
chronic headaches
Empty Sella Syndrome
Caused by excess of thyroid hormones
(specifically T3 and T4)
* The causes of hyperthyroidism are due to:
– Autoimmunity (Grave’s Disease) 85% of all cases
– Idiopathic nodular hyperplasia of thyroid
– Tumors (hyperfunctioning thyroid adenoma)
Hyperthyroidism
Condition resulting from an
overproduction of
thyroid hormones
Autoimmune Disease
* Antibodies to the TSH
receptor on the surface of
the follicular cells which
stimulate production of
thyroid hormones.
Graves Disease
Hyperthyroidism—Graves
Disease
Signs and Symptoms
- Intolerance to heat
- Bulging eyes (Only occurs with Graves
Disease and not other types of
hyperthyroidism)
Massage Considerations - Heat intolerance
Enlargement of the thyroid
gland and is nodular
Cause:
* Iodine deficiency
* Neoplasm
* Unknown
Less common cause of
hyperthyroidism
Nodular Goiter
Nodular Goiter S&S
Symptoms are related to the
compression of the adjacent
structures
– Coughing, hoarseness,
– Difficulty breathing, swallowing
Cause:
* Uncontrolled cell growth
without any invasion into
normal tissues and without any
spread
Thyroid Adenomas
– Thyroiditis—Hashimoto’s disease
* Often immune mediated
– Thyroidectomy
– Iodine deficiency (rare in Western
culture)
Hypothyroidism
Autoimmune Disease
* Thyroid gland is
destroyed by
immunologic process
* Gland becomes infiltrated
with lymphocytes that
destroy the thyroid
follicles
Thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s)
