Histopathology 4: Endocrine pathology

Question 1

Which 2 hormones are secreted from the posterior pituitary gland

Answer 1

ADH

Oxytocin

Question 2

What is the most common pituitary adenoma ?

Answer 2

Prolactinoma

Question 3

Which cells produce calcitonin ?

Answer 3

Parafollicular cells (C-cells)

Question 4

What is the most common cause of non-toxic goitre world wide ?

Answer 4

Iodine deficiency

Question 5

What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism ?

Answer 5

Grave’s disease

Question 6

List the triad of features seen in Grave’s disease ?

Answer 6

Hyperthyroidism
Exophthalmus
Pretibial myxoedema

Question 7

Hypothyroidism with Hurthle cells on histology.

Most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 7

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Question 8

Most common carcinoma of the thyroid ?

Answer 8

Pappilary carcinoma

Question 9

Thyroid histology shows psamomma bodies, empty looking nuclei and intranuclear inclusions.

Most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 9

Pappilary carcinoma

Question 10

Congo red staining of the thyroid shows apple green birefringence. The cancer is affecting the parafollicular cells. The patient is known to have MEN2a

Most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 10

Medullary thyroid carcinoma

Calcitonin is produced from the parafolicular cells and is broken down to form amyloid which deposits in the thyroid gland.

Question 11

What is a common cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism ?

Answer 11

Renal failure

Question 12

List 5 physical signs seen in hypoparathyroidism ?

Answer 12

CATS go numb

Convulsions
Arrhythmias
Tetany
Spasms

Numbness

Question 13

Which paediatric tumour affects the adrenal medulla ?

Answer 13

Neuroblastoma

Question 14

List 3 syndromes which feature phaeochromocytomas?

Answer 14

MEN
von Hippel Lindau
Sturge-Weber