Endocrine Diseases Flashcards
What is the aetiology of SIADH?
- Tumours: Prostate, thymus, pancreas, small cell carcinoma of lung
- Pulmonary lesions: pneumonia, TB
- Metabolic causes: Alcohol withdrawal
- CNS: Meningitis, tumours, head injury, subdural haematoma
- Drugs: Chlorpromide, carbamezapine etc
Briefly explain the pathophysiology of SIADH?
- Excess ADH release causes excess insertion of aquaporin 2 channels in apical membrane of collecting duct
- Therefore excess water retention and hyponatraemia
How is SIADH diagnosed?
- Low serum Na+, high urine Na+
- Euvolaemia: normal blood vol
- Low plasma osmolality, high urine osmolality
- Test with saline - sodium depletion will respond but SIADH won’t
What are the clinical features of SIADH?
- Symptoms due to hyponatraemia
- Varied and genetic
- Anorexia, nausea and malaise
- Weakness and aches
- Reduction in GCS and confusion with drowsiness
- Fits and coma if severe
How is SIADH treated?
- Treat underlying cause
- Restrict fluids to 500-1000ml daily
- Hypertonic saline if really symptomatic to prevent brain swelling
- Oral demeclocycline daily (Inhibits ADH)
- Vasopressin antagonist e.g. oral tovaptan daily
- Salt and loop diuretic
What is Conn’s syndrome?
Primary hyperaldosteronism= Excess production of aldosterone, independent of the renin-angiotensin system. Resulting in increased sodium, and thus water retention (and increased blood pressure), and decreased renin release
What is the epidemiology of Conn’s syndrome?
Rare condition accounting for less than 1% of hypertension
What is the aetiology of Conn’s syndrome?
- 2/3rds= Adrenal adenoma that secretes aldosterone
- 1/3rd= Bilateral adeno-cortical hyperplasia
What are the risk factors for Conn’s syndrome?
- Hypertension under 35, with no family history
- Hypokalaemia before diuretics
- Conventional antihypertensives don’t work
- Unusual symptoms e.g. sweating
Briefly explain the pathophysiology of Conn’s syndrome
- Excess aldosterone production due to aldosterone producing carcinoma
- Na+ and water retention, thus K+ loss (to balance charge
- Thus hypokalemia and hypertension
What is the clinical presentation of Conn’s syndrome?
- Often asymptomatic
- Hypertension due to increased blood vol, associated with renal, cardiac and retinal damage
- Hypokalaemia: Weakness, cramps, paraesthesia, polyuria
How is Conn’s syndrome diagnosed?
- Hypokalaemic ECG= Flat T wave, ST depression, Long QT
- Serum hypokalaemia
- Plasma aldosterone:Renin (ARR)= If increased aldosterone levels that are not suppressed w 0.9% saline infusion= Diagnostic
- CT or MRI on adrenal
How is Conn’s syndrome treated?
- Laproscopic adrenalectomy
- Aldosterone antagonist e.g. oral sprinolactone for 4 weeks pre-op to control BP and K+
What is giantism?
Excessive GH production in children before fusion of epiphyses of long bones
What is acromegaly?
Excessive GH in adults
What is the aetiology of acromegaly?
- Most cases are due to benign GH producing pituitary tumour, but can be due to hyperplasia
What is the epidemiology of acromegaly?
Rare, increased incidence in middle age
What are the risk factors for acromegaly?
5% associated with MEN-1
Briefly explain the pathophysiology of acromegaly
- Increased GH due to pituitary tumour or ectopic carcinoid tumour
- Binds to receptors, resulting in increased IGF-1
- This stimulates skeletal muscle and soft tissue growth
- Local tumour expansion can also cause compression of tissue and thus symptoms
List some symptoms of acromegaly
- Headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Bitemporal hemianopia
- Snoring
- Wonky bite
- Low weight
- Low libido
- Amenorrhea
- Backache
- Increased size of hands and feet
List some signs of acromegaly
Skin darkening Fatigue Deep voice Carpal tunnel syndrome Macroglossia Coarsening face with wide nose Prognanthism and big supraorbital ridge
List some common co-morbidities with acromegaly
- Low glucose tolerance
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnoea
- CVS Problems
How is acromegaly diagnosed?
- High glucose, Calcium, and phosphate
- IGF1= Raised = Diagnostic
- Plasma GH levels= Can rule out acromegaly if random GH is undetectable or is low
- Pituitary function test
- Glucose tolerance test= No suppression of glucose= Diagnostic
- MRI of pituitary fossa
- Old photos= See changes
How is acromegaly treated?
- 1st line treatment= Trans-sphenoidal surgery to remove tumour and fix compression. If this fails, try somatostatin analogues e.g. IM octreotide
- GH receptor antagonists if intolerant to SSA= Supresses IGF-1
- Dopamine agonist e.g. Oral cabergoline
- Stereotactic radiotherapy