MEH - Adrenal Disorders

Question 1

What methods can be used to do a radiological assessment of adrenal disease?

Answer 1

CT scan, MRI scan, MIBG scan, PET scan

Question 2

Give some causes of primary adrenal failure

Answer 2

Autoimmune, infection (TB, fungal, AIDs), infiltration, malignancy, genetic, vascular, iatrogenic

Question 3

Why must steroids be stopped slowly?

Answer 3

In patients on long-term steroids, ACTH is suppressed. Abrupt withdrawal means they may go into a hypo-adrenal crisis due to lack of ACTH

Question 4

How are adrenal tumours removed?

Answer 4

Laparoscopic surgery, although large ones need open surgery

Question 5

What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

Answer 5

Deficiency in 21-hydroxylase enzyme, leading to low cortisol and aldosterone but high androgens.

Question 6

What is a paraganglioma?

Answer 6

An extra-adrenal tumour of chromaffin tissue origin

Question 7

Which radiological investigations should be done for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma?

Answer 7

MRI, PET, MIBG