15.1-15.7 Endocrine Flashcards
(138 cards)
What is the mechanism by which a pituitary tumor produces bitemporal hemianopsia?
Compression of the optic chiasm
What are the problems that a nonfunctional pituitary adenoma can cause? (3)
- Bitemporal hemianopsia
- Hypopituitarism
- HA
What is the most common type of functional pituitary adenoma?
Prolactinoma
What are the s/sx of a prolactinoma in males? Females?
Males = Decreased libido and HA Females = galactorrhea and amenorrhea
What is the treatment for a prolactinoma?
Dopamine agonists or surgery
Why do prolactinomas cause amenorrhea?
Prolactin inhibits the synthesis and release of GnRH
Why don’t males have galactorrhea with prolactinomas?
They do not have the terminal ducts necessary
What is the treatment for prolactinoma? Why?
Dopamine agonist, (e.g. bromocriptine) since dopamine inhibits the release of prolactin
What are the s/sx of GH adenomas in children? Adults? What other endocrine problem can be seen?
- Gigantism in children
- Acromegaly in adults
- Secondary DM is often present
What is the most common cause of death in patients with GH adenomas? Why?
- Cardiac failure
- Cardiomegaly from GH
What is the oropharyngeal finding of GH adenomas?
Macroglossia
What is the hormone produced by the liver in response to GH secretion? What does this do?
- IGF-1
- Mediate the growth of tissues
How do you diagnose a GH adenoma? (2)
- Elevated GH and IGF-1
- Lack of GH suppression by oral glucose
What is the normal response of GH to administration of oral glucose? What would be the response in the case of a GH adenoma?
- Should decrease
- GH adenomas would not respond
What are the two medical treatments for GH adenomas? Why?
- Octreotide since it is a somatostatin analogue, thus it blocks GHRH from acting on the anterior pituitary
- GH receptor antagonist
What percent of the pituitary parenchyma must be lost for s/sx of hypopituitarism to appear?
75%
What type of growth causes hypopituitarism in children? Adults?
- Children = craniopharyngioma
- Adults = pituitary adenoma
What is pituitary apoplexy?
Hemorrhage into the pituitary
What is Sheehan syndrome?
Hypopituitarism d/t pregnancy hypovolemia induced necrosis. This occurs during pregnancy since there is an increased amount of prolactin cells, meaning the pituitary is susceptible to infarction
What are the two classic s/sx of Sheehan syndrome?
No lactation and loss of pubic hair
What is primary empty sella syndrome?
Invasion of the arachnoid mater into the sella turcica destroys the pituitary
What is secondary empty sella syndrome?
Trauma kills pituitary
What are the two hormones released by the posterior pituitary?
- ADH (vasopressin)
- Oxytocin
What are the six hormones released by the anterior pituitary?
- Prolactin
- GH
- FSH/LH
- ACTH
- TSH