MET3 Revision: Endocrine II Flashcards
State the 4 grades of hypertensive retinopathy
Grade 1 – silver (copper) wiring
Grade 2 – arteriovenous nipping
Grade 3 – flame shaped haemorrhages + exudates
Grade 4 - papilloedema
Name a cardiac cause of secondary hypertension [1]
Coarctation of the aorta(differential BP between upper and lower limb and arms; radio-radial delay)
Name three renal causes of secondary hypertension [3]
- CKD
- Glomerulonephritis
- Renovasculardisease
Name 4 endocrine causes of secondary hypertension [4]
- Conns
- Cushings
- Phaeochromocytoma
- Acromegaly
Conn’s syndrome refers to an adrenal adenoma producing too much aldosterone.
What are the two options that this could be caused by? [2]
Which is more likely? [2]
Solitary aldosterone producing adenoma
* 2/3rds
Bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia
* 1/3rd
You suspect a ptx with Conns syndrome; how would you expect their blood gas to appear after investigation? [1]
Hypokalaemic alkalosis (XS aldosterone causes increased K+ secretion and Na+ absorption)
You suspect a patient has Conn’s syndrome due their refractory BP.
Name a differential diagnosis that is more common cause of this [1]
Renal artery stenosis
Apart from investigating electrolytes, what further tests (and results) would you conduct for a ptx suspected to have hyperaldosteronism? [4]
Hyperaldosteronism investigations:
- Plasma renin: suppressed
- Elevated serum aldosterone
(these tests are conducted together: paired renin/aldosterone level)
- CT adrenals
- Adrenal vein sampling to differentiate unilateral from bilateral adrenal disease
What are clinical presentations of Conn’s syndrome? [6]
- Often asymptomatic
- cramps
- muscle weakness
- hypotonia
- reduced reflexes
- Hypertension (often have resistant HTN or severe HTN)
- 40-60 years old
- Hypokalaemic (but NOT always present, so can’t rely on this for diagnosis)
often the signs are due to hypokalaemia
What is the management of unilateral adrenal adenoma? [1]
What is the management of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia? [2]
Unilateral adrenal adenoma: Surgery (laparoscopic adrenalectomy)
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia: aldosterone antagonist
- eplerenone
- spironolactone
What is the 10% rule for phaeochromocytoma? [4]
10% extra adrenal
10% malignant
10% familial (endocrine neoplasia syndromes)
10% bilateral
Presentation of phaeochromocytomas? [5]
Classic triad:
* Tachycardia
* Sweating
* Episodic headache
Others:
* Tremor
* Anxiety
* Palpitations
* Hypertension
* Tachycardia
*
Why does prescribing beta blockers worsen symptoms for patients with phaeochromocytoma? [2]
Inhibits B2 receptor action (vasodilatation);
Causes unparalleled action of A1 and A2 receptors (vasoconstriction)
Can cause severe hypertensive crisis
Which drugs would you prescribe for symptoms of phaeochromocytoma? [2]
What is an alternative management? [1]
Always give alpha blockers first (otherwise can cause hypertensive crisis; then beta blockers)
Alpha blockers:
Doxazosin
Phenoxybenzamine
Beta blockers (if heart disease or tachycardic)
Propranolol
Atenolol
and / or
Surgical resection of the lesion
(Patients have their symptoms controlled medically before surgery to reduce the anaesthesia and surgery risks)
Initial tests for diagnosing phaeochromocytoma include? [4]
- Elevated plasma free metanephrines (breakdown products of the catecholamines epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine)
- Elevated 24-hour urine catecholamines (not as accurate as measuring metanephrines)
- Image adrenals (CT/MRI)
- MIBG (radionucleotide scan of Iodine-123)
Describe the treatment options for acromegaly [3]
- 1st line: trans-sphenoidal surgery
Medical management of acromegaly:
- Somatostatin analogues: Octreotide
- Growth hormone receptor antagonist:: Pegvisomont
What is the MoA of Pegvisomont? [1]
Used to treat acromegaly: GH Receptor antagonist