Reteroperitoneum Notes Flashcards
What is Addison disease? What is it also known as?
A life-threatening condition caused by partial or complete failure of the adrenocortical function. Also known as adrenocortical insufficiency.
What is adrenogenital syndrome?
A congenital disorder causing an increase in production of androgens.
What is Conn syndrome?
An uncommon condition resulting from excessive aldosterone secretions.
What is Cushing syndrome? What is it also known as?
- A metabolic disorder resulting from chronic and excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortex.
- Also known as hyperadrenalism.
What are diaphragmatic crura? How are they identified as?
- Fibers that connect the vertebral column and diaphragm
- Identified as hypoechoic linear structures.
What is a floating aorta?
Enlarged lymph nodes posterior to the aorta giving the impression that the aorta is floating above the spine.
What is hyperaldosteronism?
Excessive production of aldosterone.
What is lymphadenopathy?
Focal or generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes.
What is neuroblastoma?
A malignant tumor of the adrenal gland found in young children.
What is pheochromocytoma?
A rare vascular tumor of the adrenal medulla.
What does retroperitoneal refer to?
Pertaining to organs closely attached to the posterior abdominal wall.
What is retroperitoneal fibrosis?
Dense fibrous tissue proliferation typically confined to the paravertebral and central retroperitoneum areas.
What are the suprarenal glands?
Adrenal glands.
What is the function of the adrenal glands?
Produce hormones, with the medulla and cortex functioning independently.
What does the adrenal cortex secrete?
Steroids including mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.
What is the main steroid produced by the adrenal cortex? What does it do?
Aldosterone, which helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
What do glucocorticoids do?
Aid in the body’s response to stress and regulate metabolism.
What hormones are produced by the adrenal medulla? What does this include?
Catecholamines, including epinephrine and norepinephrine.
What is the anatomy of the adrenal glands?
Consists of two regions: the medulla (inner portion) and cortex (outer portion).
Where are the adrenal glands located?
Retroperitoneal structures located in Gerota’s fascia within the perinephric space.
What is the size of an adult adrenal gland?
Measures approximately 3 to 5 cm in length, 2 to 3 cm in width, and 1 cm in height.
What arteries supply the adrenal glands?
The superior, middle, and inferior suprarenal arteries.
What is the normal sonographic appearance of adrenal glands?
The right adrenal gland is shaped like a triangle or pyramid; the left adrenal gland is semilunar or crescent-shaped.
What preparation is required for an ultrasound of the adrenal glands?
No preparation is required, but fasting may improve visualization.
What transducer selection is recommended for adrenal ultrasound?
Use the highest frequency possible; adults typically use 3.0 to 5.0 MHz.
What is the examination protocol for adrenal ultrasound?
A systematic approach in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes examining the adrenal glands and retroperitoneum.
What are common indications for adrenal examination? 7
- Hypertension
- Abdominal distension
- Severe anxiety
- Sweating
- Tachycardia
- Weight loss
- Diabetes mellitus.
What is the normal range for adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)?
10 to 80 pg/mL.
What is the normal range for aldosterone?
Recumbent 3 to 10 ng/dL; erect 5 to 30 ng/dL.
What is the normal range for potassium?
Serum 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
What is the normal range for sodium?
Serum 135 to 145 mEq/L.
What is the normal range for serum cortisol?
7 to 25 mcg/dL.
What is an adenoma?
A benign cortical mass of epithelial origin, which can be functioning or nonfunctioning.
What is adrenocortical carcinoma?
An epithelial neoplasm of the adrenal cortex that can be functioning or nonfunctioning.
How common is a neuroblastoma? What is the demographic common with this?
The third most common malignancy in infancy, common in young children.
What is Addison disease characterized by?
Partial or complete failure of adrenocortical function, leading to loss of cortisol and aldosterone secretions.
What is Conn syndrome characterized by?
Excessive production of aldosterone, often due to adrenal adenoma.
What is hypotension?
A condition characterized by low blood pressure.
Symptoms include weakness, salt cravings, elevated serum potassium, and decreases in serum sodium and glucose.
What is adrenogenital syndrome?
A congenital disorder causing excessive secretion of sexual hormones and adrenal androgens.
What are the effects of an adrenal tumor or hyperplasia? 4
- Increased androgen production leading to increases in body hair
- Deepening of the voice
- Atrophy of the uterus
- Acne.
What is Conn syndrome?
Excessive production of aldosterone, commonly due to adrenal adenoma.
It has a 70% prevalence in females.
What is Cushing disease? What does it lead to?
- A rare disorder resulting from excessive cortisol production
- Leading to fat accumulation, fatigue, emotional changes, and more.
What is the retroperitoneum?
The area of the body behind the peritoneum.
What are the borders of the retroperitoneum? (superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, lateral)
- Superior: diaphragm,
- Inferior: pelvic rim,
- Anterior: posterior parietal peritoneum,
- Posterior: posterior abdominal wall muscles and spine,
- Lateral: transversalis fascia and peritoneal portions of the mesentery.
What is the anterior pararenal space?
Fat area between the posterior peritoneum and Gerota’s fascia, including pancreas and portions of the colon.
What is the perirenal space?
Space that includes kidneys, adrenal glands, and surrounding fat, separated from the pararenal space by Gerota’s fascia.
What are the functions of lymph nodes?
Filter lymph of debris and organisms, and form lymphocytes and antibodies to fight infection.
What is the sonographic appearance of a normal lymph node?
Hypoechoic solid mass with a hyperechoic fatty center, smooth margins, oval shape, and internal vascular blood flow.
Usually measures less than 1 cm.
What indicates an abnormal lymph node sonographically? 3
- Enlarged hypoechoic mass exceeding 1 cm
- Loss of hyperechoic fatty center
- Irregular margins may indicate malignancy.
What is lymphadenopathy?
Any disorder characterized by localized or generalized enlargement of lymph nodes or vessels.
What are the sonographic findings of retroperitoneal fibrosis? What may it demonstrate?
- Hypoechoic bulky midline mass
- May demonstrate associated hydronephrosis.
What is a urinoma? Where is it typically located?
A cyst filled with urine, typically located in the perinephric space.
Appears as an elliptical anechoic fluid collection.
What is a fibroma? What does it typically appear as?
- A neoplasm consisting largely of fibrous connective tissue
- Appearing as a hyperechoic mass with well-defined margins.
What is a liposarcoma? How common is it in the retroperitoneal cavity? What does it look like sonographically?
- A malignant growth of fat cells
- Most common retroperitoneal neoplasm
- Appearing as a hyperechoic mass with thick wall margins.
What is a teratoma? How might it appear?
A neoplasm composed of different types of tissues, appearing as a complex mass.
What is the sonographic appearance of a retroperitoneal abscess? What might it demonstrate?
- Hypoechoic or complex mass with irregular margins
- May demonstrate posterior acoustic shadowing.
