Endocrine System Flashcards
Read over the following pathologies of the endocrine system?
Pituitary Tumours
Acromegaly
Cushing’s Syndrome
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
What is the purpose of the pituitary gland?
Release of hormones that tells the body to do things
What would be the result of a pituitary tumour?
Might stop hormones from being expressed or to create more hormones
Where is the pituitary gland located?
In the sella turcica
What size of pituitary indicates a Microadenoma?
<10mm
What size of pituitary indicates a macroadenoma?
> 10mm
T/F
Microadenoma is Secretary
True
T/F
Macroadenoma is also secretary
False; Inhibiting
What are pituitary tumours best seen with?
Best seen with MRI
What is Hyperpituitarism?
A type of pituitary tumour that causes excessive secretion of one or more pituitary hormones or hyperplasia of anterior lobe
What is the most common type of hormone released with hyperpituitarism?
Prolactin
T/F
Hyperpituitarism can cause different pathologies
True
What is acromegaly?
-Excessive growth hormone after bone growth has stopped and generalized overgrowth of body tissues
What is the physical appearance of someone with acromegaly?
-Longer mandible and increased angle
-Enlarged hands, feet, face, and soft tissues
What are the radiographic signs of acromegaly?
-Enlarged sinuses-Especially the frontal sinuses
-Thicker, denser skull bones (frontal bossing)-Cave man appearance
-Expansion/erosion of sella turcica-Because tumor is often there
-Joint space widening
-Scalloping of posterior vertebral bodies-also seen in achondroplasia (because it affects the normal shape of the vertebral bodies)
-Early degenerative changes
-Thick heel pads (>23mm)
What is Hypopituitarism
-Decreased secretion of pituitary hormones and a generalized decrease in bone growth and maturation if present before puberty
What is the majority of hypopituitarism cases caused by?
Majority caused by pituitary tumours-Macroadenomas
What causes cushing syndrome?
Chronic exposure to excessive glucocorticoids
1.Adrenal hyperplasia-Adrenal glands enlarged because there are too many cells
2.Excessive steroid administration
3.Secretory tumours
What are the Signs/Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?
-Increased blood lipid levels
-Truncal Obesity
-Moon-shaped face
-Fat pad between shoulders
-Hypertension
-Osteoporosis
What is the best for seeing tumours causing cushing’s syndrome?
-Tumour seen best w/ MRI
What modality is best for seeing enlargement of adrenal glands?
CT, MRI, or US
How do the adrenal glands appear with cushing’s syndrome in axial slices?
Y-shaped in axial slices
What are the treatments for Cushing’s syndrome?
Depends on cause
-Surgery or radiation for tumours
-Possible adrenalectomy
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Excessive thyroid hormone production
What pathologies cause excessive thyroid hormone production
1.Graves disease
2.Toxic adenomas
3.Painless thyroiditis
What is Graves Disease?
Autoimmune-antibodies attack it but then the thyroid takes it and makes more thyroid hormone-seen with hyperthyroidism
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
-Nervousness, inability to sleep, tremors, tachycardia
-Palpitations, excessive sweating,
-Heat intolerance, weight loss, exophthalmos
-May be asymptomatic
What is exophthalmos?
Creates edema behind the eyes
How does grave’s disease appear in Nuclear medicine?
Enlarged, hyperactive thyroid gland
What type of contrast is given for grave’s disease in nuclear imaging?
Give them radioactive iodine
What is hypothyroidism?
Failure of thyroid to produce sufficient thyroid hormone
What are the Causes of hypothyroidism?
-Primary gland failure
-Insufficient gland stimulation
-Infantile hypothyroidism (cretinism)-children
T/F
Infantile hypothyroidism (cretinism) causes developmental issues
True
T/F
In adult hypothyroidism treatment for hyperthyroidism can cause hypothyroidism sometimes
True
How does hypothyroidism appear radiographically in children?
-Delayed bone growth in children (primarily skull)
How does hypothyroidism appear radiographically in both children and adults?
-Possible pericardial effusion, adynamic ileus in adults
How does hypothyroidism appear in Ultrasound for both children and adults?
-Abnormal size or blood flow
