Adrenal Disorders

Question 1

What is the difference between a functional tumor & an adenoma

Answer 1

Functional tumors are hormone secreting & adenomas are benign

Question 2

What are the 3 main substances secreted by the adrenal cortex

Answer 2

• aldosterone (mineralcorticoid - granulosa)
• cortisol (glucocorticoids - fasciculata)
• androgens (reticularis)

Question 3

What is the main substance secreted by the adrenal medulla

Answer 3

catecholamines (epi & norepi)

Question 4

What is adrenal insufficiency

Answer 4

rare disorder that occurs when there is insufficient function of the adrenal cortex leading to underproduction of corticosteroids

Question 5

What are the classifications of adrenal insufficiency

Answer 5

• primary (Addison’s): dysfunction of the adrenal gland
• secondary: deficiency of ACTH due to dysfunction of the pituitary gland
• tertiary: deficiency of ACTH due to dysfunction of the hypothalamus

Question 6

What happens when there is an increase in ACTH

Answer 6

glucocorticoids & androgens increaseW

Question 7

Why doesn’t aldosterone increase when there is an increase in ACTH

Answer 7

regulation from the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Question 8

Describe the etiology of adrenal insufficiency & types

Answer 8

Question 9

Describe the presentation of primary & secondary chronic adrenal insufficiency

Answer 9

Question 10

Describe the etiology & presentation of acute adrenal crisis

Answer 10

Question 11

Describe the testing for adrenal insufficiency

Answer 11

Question 12

What are the common lab findings of adrenal insufficiency

Answer 12

Question 13

Describe the treatment of chronic adrenal insufficiency

Answer 13

Question 14

Describe the etiology of cushing’s syndrome

Answer 14

Question 15

Describe etiology & presentation of pseudo-cushing’s syndrome

Answer 15

Question 16

Describe the presentation of cushing’s syndrome

Answer 16

Question 17

Describe the treatment of cushing’s syndrome

Answer 17

Question 18

Describe the treatment of cushing’s disease

Answer 18

Question 19

Describe the etiology of pheochromocytoma

Answer 19

Question 20

Describe the presentation of pheochromocytoma

Answer 20

Question 21

Describe the workup for a pheochromocytoma

Answer 21

Question 22

Describe the treatment of a pheochromocytoma

Answer 22

Question 23

Describe the etiology of primary hyperaldosteronism

Answer 23

Question 24

Describe the presentation of primary hyperaldosteronism

Answer 24

Question 25

Describe the workup for primary hyperaldosteronism

Answer 25

Question 26

Describe the treatment for primary hyperaldosteronism

Answer 26

Question 27

Describe the etiology of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Answer 27

Question 28

Describe the presentation of congenital adrenal hyperplasia & treatment

Answer 28

Tx with corticosteroid replacement

Question 29

Describe the etiology of adrenal incidentaloma

Answer 29