phaechromocytoma

Question 1

what produces adrenalin

Answer 1

chromaffin cells in adrenal medulla of adrenal glands

Question 2

phaechromocytoma

Answer 2

tumour of chromaffin cells that secreted unregulated and excessive amounts of adrenaline

Question 3

what is adrenaline

Answer 3

catecholamine hormone

neurotransmitted that stimulates sympathetic NS

Question 4

associated with

Answer 4

25% familial and assoc with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)

Question 5

10% rule

Answer 5

10% bilateral
10% cancerous
10% outside adrenal gland

Question 6

diagnosi

Answer 6

24hr urine catecholamines

plasma free metanephrines

Question 7

presentation

Answer 7

anxiety 
sweating 
headache
htn 
palpitations
tachycardia
paroxysmal AF

signs and symptoms flutuates with peaks + troughs relating to periods when tumour secretes adrenalin

Question 8

why measure plasma free metanephrines

Answer 8

adrenaline has short halflife, wheareas metanephrines (breakdown product of adrenaline) has longer half life
more reliable diagnostic tool

Question 9

Mx

Answer 9

alpha blockers e.g. phenoxybenzamine
beta blockers
adrenalectomy