Pathology Flashcards
What is the mechanism of Cushing syndrome?
Increased cortisol due to a variety of causes
What causes bilateral adrenal atrophy and is the most common cause of Cushing syndrome?
Exogenous steroid use
Atrophy of uninvolved adrenal gland in Cushing syndrome points to what cause?
Primary adrenal adenoma, hyperplasia or carcinoma
What is Cushing disease?
An ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma
What are some paraneoplastic causes of increased ACTH?
Small cell lung cancer or bronchial carcinoids
What is the affect of increased endogenous ACTH on adrenal glands?
Adrenal hyperplasia
What is responsible for the majority of endogenous cases of Cushing syndrome?
Cushing disease
What needs to be done if adrenal tumor is suspected?
Adrenal CT to confirm
What is next step if ACTH levels are elevated on low-dose dexamethasone test?
High-dose dexamethasone test and CRH stimulation test
What test results are consistent with Cushing disease?
Adequate suppression with high-dose dexamethasone and increased ACTH and cortisol with CRH stimulation
What test results are consistent with ectopic ACTH secretion?
No suppression with high-dose dexamethasone and no increase in ACTH and cortisol with CRH stimulation
What is next step with adequate suppression with high-dose dexamethasone and increased ACTH and cortisol with CRH stimulation?
MRI of pituitary
What is next step with no suppression with high-dose dexamethasone and no increase in ACTH and cortisol with CRH stimulation?
CT of the chest/abdomen/pelvis
Inability of the adrenal glands to generate enough glucocorticoids
Adrenal insufficiency
Acute primary adrenal insufficiency due to hemorrhage associated with septicemia form N. meningitidis, DIC or endotoxic shock
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
Hypotension, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis with skin and mucosal hyperpigmentation points to what disease?
Primary adrenal insufficiency
Shock or hemorrhage causing hypovolemia leading to ischemia of the adrenal glands causes what type of adrenal insufficiency
Acute primary adrenal insufficiency
What is the most common cause of chronic primary adrenal insufficiency in the Western world?
Autoimmune destruction
What is the most common cause of chronic primary adrenal insufficiency in the developing world?
TB
Adrenal atrophy or destruction by disease either from autoimmune or TB is called what?
Chronic primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison disease
What cortisol and ADH levels are seen in primary adrenal insufficiency?
Decreased cortisol
Increased ACTH
What cortisol and ADH levels are seen in secondary adrenal insufficiency?
Decreased cortisol and ACTH
What is a common cause of tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
Exogenous steroid use
How is aldosterone synthesis affected in tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
Not affected
What prevents edema in hyperaldosteronism?
Aldosterone escape mechanism
What are lab findings in primary hyperaldosteronism?
Increased aldosterone, sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion
Decreased renin
Metabolic alkalosis
What is the cause of primary hyperaldosteronism?
Adrenal adenoma
What is the cause of 2ndary hyperaldosteronism?
Renovascular HTN, juxtaglomerular cell tumors and edema
What is the most common tumor of the adrenal medulla in children?
Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastomas originate from what cell line?
Neural crest cells
What type of tumors can occur anywhere along the sympathetic chain?
Neuroblastomas
Abdominal distention and a firm, irregular mass that can cross the midline points to what disease?
Neuroblastoma
Abdominal distention with a smooth mass that is unilateral, points to what disease?
Wilms tumor
Child with history of “dancing eyes-dancing feet” and an abdominal mass that crosses the midline with normal BP points to what disease?
Neuroblastoma
What are common findings in urine in someone with Neuroblastoma?
Increased catecholamines (homovanillic and vanillylmandelic acid)
Histology with Homer-Wright rosettes and Bombesin and NSE positive indicates to what disease?
Neuroblastoma
What oncogene is associated with neuroblastomas?
N-myc oncogene
Most common tumor of the adrenal medulla in adults?
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is derived from what cells?
Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla
What germline mutations are associated with pheochromocytoma?
NF-1, VHL, RET (MEN2A and MEN2B)
What is the rule for pheochromocytomas?
Rule of 10s: 10% malignant 10% bilateral 10% extra-adrenal (bladder wall, organ of Zuckerandl) 10% calcify 10% kids
What are common symptoms of pheochromocytomas?
Relapsing and remitting symptoms of 5 Ps:
Pressure (increased BP) - increased catecholamines
Pain (headache)
Perspiration
Palpitations
Pallor
What are common findings in pheochromocytomas?
Increased catecholamines: Epi, NE, dopamine in urine and plasma
What is a worry in someone with history of chronic exogenous steroid use who stops using immediately?
Tertiary adrenal insufficiency
What is the treatment for pheochromocytoma?
Irreversible a-antagonists (phenoxybenzamine) and B-blockers prior to tumor resection
Why is a-blockade needed before giving B-blockers?
To avoid a hypertensive crisis
What are the cholesterol levels in hypothyroidism?
Hypercholesterolemia due to decreased LDL receptor expression
What are the CK levels in hypothyroidism?
Increased CK levels
What are the TSH levels in hypothyroidism?
Increased TSH levels if primary
What are the T3 and T4 levels in hypothyroidism?
Decreased T3 and T4
What are the CK levels in hyperthyroidism?
Normal CK levels
What is the TSH level in hyperthyroidism?
Decreased TSH levels
What are the free T3 and T4 levels in hyperthyroidism?
Increased T3 and T4 levels
What are the cholesterol levels in hyperthyroidism?
Hypocholesterolemia due to increased LDL receptor expression
Causes of nodular thyroid goiters
Toxic multi-nodular goiter
Thyroid adenoma
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cyst
Causes of smooth/diffuse thyroid goiters
Graves disease
Hashimoto thyroiditis
Iodine deficiency
TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma