Retroperitoneum Flashcards
1
Q
This is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abd cavity and covers most of the abd organs.
A
peritoneum
2
Q
Name the two layers of the peritoneum.
A
parietal and visceral
3
Q
This is the space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum containing serous fluid.
A
the peritoneal cavity
4
Q
T/F? In males, the peritoneal cavity is completely closed.
A
true
5
Q
The peritoneal cavity is ___ and essentially ___ to the outside environment.
A
sterile, closed
6
Q
T/F? In females, the peritoneal cavity is completely closed.
A
FALSE, there is a communication between the cavity and the outside via the fallopian tubes.
7
Q
Name the two compartments of the peritoneal cavity.
A
lesser sac and greater sac
8
Q
This is the space that is situated between the liver, pancreas, and stomach. The entrance is the epiloic foramen.
A
lesser sac
9
Q
The is the space that is situated around the bowel and lower organs.
A
greater sac
10
Q
This is a posterior compartment that lies between the transversalis fascia and the parietal peritoneum.
A
retroperitoneum
11
Q
This is the connective tissue that circles the inner abd.
A
transversalis fascia
12
Q
The superior border of the retroperitoneum is the…
A
diaphragm.
13
Q
The inferior border of the retroperitoneum is the…
A
pelvic rim.
14
Q
The anterior border of the retroperitoneum is the…
A
parietal peritoneum.
15
Q
The posterior border of the retroperitoneum is the…
A
posterior abd wall muscles.
16
Q
The lateral border of the retroperitoneum is the…
A
transversalis fascia and peritoneal portions of the mesentery.
17
Q
Name the three spaces within the retroperitoneum.
A
perirenal space, anterior pararenal space, and posterior pararenal space
18
Q
What connective tissue divides the retroperitoneum into its three spaces?
A
Gerota’s (renal) fascia
19
Q
Kidneys and adrenals lie within the ___ space of the retroperitoneum.
A
perirenal
20
Q
The perirenal space is separated from the pararenal spaces by the…
A
anterior and posterior renal (Gerota’s) fascia.
21
Q
This is the fat area between the peritoneum and Gerota’s fascia.
A
anterior pararenal space
22
Q
This is the space between Gerota’s fascia and the posterior abd wall muscles.
A
posterior pararenal space
23
Q
SAD PUCKERS is the acronym for what now?
A
The organs in the retroperitoneum
24
Q
What does SAD PUCKERS stand for?
A
Suprarenal Ao/IVC Duodenum Pancreas Ureters Colon Kidneys Esophagus Rectum SMV
25
These muscles lie in the pararenal space, separated by the transversalis fascia.
psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles
26
This retroperitoneal condition presents as a dense fibrous tissue proliferation confined to the paravertebral region.
retroperitoneal fibrosis, Ormond's disease, or inflammatory aneurysm
27
Where along the aorta does Ormond's disease tend to appear?
at the bifurcation
28
Sonographically, this retroperitoneal condition appears as a hyperechoic midline mass.
retroperitoneal fibrosis
29
This retroperitoneal condition is associated with bilateral ureteral obstruction as it envelopes structures rather than displace them.
retroperitoneal fibrosis
30
This is the most likely complication of retroperitoneal fibrosis.
hydronephrosis
31
What causes most cases of retroperitoneal fibrosis?
idiopathic
32
The adrenal glands are ___ to the kidneys.
anterior, medial, and superior
33
These are the smallest paired organs found in the abdomen.
adrenal glands
34
How can we differentiate between adrenal masses and renal masses during an u/s exam?
They will separate during deep inspiration and in the upright position.
35
Which adrenal gland is shaped like a triangle or pyramid?
right
36
Which adrenal gland is shaped like a cresent?
left
37
This part of the adrenal gland is hypoechoic and typically less echogenic than the surrounding retroperitoneal fat.
cortex
38
This is the echogenic linear structure within the adrenal gland.
medulla
39
What percentage of the adrenal gland is cortex?
90%. Which makes the medulla 10%.
40
What three arteries supply each adrenal gland?
suprarenal branch of the inferior phrenic artery, suprarenal branch of the aorta, and suprarenal branch of the renal artery
41
Which veins drain the adrenal glands?
the right suprarenal vein (drains into the IVC) and the left suprarenal vein (drains into the left renal vein)
42
What kind of hormones does the cortex produce?
steroids
43
What kind of steroids does the adrenal cortex produce?
mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
glucocorticoids (cortisol)
androgens (gonadal hormones)
44
What do mineralocorticoids do?
Help maintain the body's fluid & electrolyte balance
45
What do glucocorticoids do?
Modify the body's response to inflammation
46
The adrenal cortical hormones (ACH) are regulated by the ___ hormones of the ___ gland.
adrenocorticotropic, anterior pituitary
47
The adrenal gland and the anterior pituitary gland function together to...
regulate hormone production.
48
Which hormones does the adrenal medulla produce?
epinephrine and norepinephrine
49
Indications for an adrenal u/s:
1. tachycardia
2. severe anxiety
3. HTN
4. Abd distention
5. sweating
6. weight loss
7. diabetes mellitus
8. eval of a previously seen mass
50
This adrenal condition is rare, usually unilateral, and asymptomatic.
adrenal cysts
51
Sonographically, this adrenal condition appears in the typical cystic pattern and may calcify or hemorrhage.
adrenal cysts
52
This is a benign adrenal cortical mass, usually asymptomatic or elevated adrenal hormones.
adrenal adenoma
53
Adrenal hyperplasia, adenomas, or adenocarcinomas are tied to...
adrenal cortical hyperfunctioning.
54
This is caused by excessive cortisol secretions associated with adrenal adenomas.
Cushing's syndrome
55
This is caused by excessive cortisol secretions due to a pituitary tumor and causes purplish striae on the skin.
Cushing's disease
56
This is caused by excessive aldosterone secretion.
Conn's disease
57
This is caused by excessive androgen secretion.
adrenal virilism
58
The symptoms of this adrenal disease include hirsutism, baldness, acne, and amenorrhea.
adrenal virilism
59
This is a life-threatening condition caused by partial or complete failure of the adreno-cortical function.
Addison's disease
60
Addison's disease destroys the adrenal ___ and loses the ___ and ___ secretions.
cortex, cortisol, aldosterone
61
T/F? Females have an increased incidence of Addison's disease.
true
62
This condition presents as anorexia, bronzed skin, salt cravings, emotional changes and GI disorders.
Addison's disease
63
T/F? The treatment for Addison's disease is to surgically remove an adrenal gland.
FALSE, to remove *both* adrenal glands
64
When endocrine studies are negative (indicating a non-hyperfunctioning adrenal mass), the deicision to resect is usually based on its...
size.
65
What size would an adrenal mass be before they decide to remove it?
greater than 3 cm
66
This is a rare adrenal tumor with a poor prognosis.
adrenal cortical carcinoma
67
T/F? The majority of patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma present with Addison's disease.
FALSE, Cushing's syndrome
68
T/F? Many patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma present with metastatic involvement.
true
69
T/F? Adrenal cortical carcinomas have a tendency to invade the renal veins and IVC.
true
70
This is a rare vascular tumor of the medulla that may occur in ectopic locations such as along the para-aortic sympathetic nerve chain.
pheochromocytoma
71
T/F? Pheochromocytomas are usually malignant.
FALSE, benign
72
What catecholamines do pheochromocytomas secrete?
epinephrine and noreinephrine
73
T/F? Pheochromocytomas are associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) and Conn's disease.
FALSE, MEN and *von Hippel-Lindau disease*
74
This is the most common childhood adrenal mass.
adrenal neuroblastoma
75
This adrenal condition presents as a palpable abdominal mass in children.
adrenal neuroblastoma
76
T/F? Adrenal neuroblastomas are benign.
FALSE, malignant
77
___ typically displaces the kidneys inferiorly into the pelvis, while ___ originates from and destroys the kidney.
Adrenal neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumor
78
This is a benign non-functioning adrenal mass that contains fat and bone elements.
myelolipoma
79
Sonographically, these appear as hyperechoic masses in the adrenal beds.
myelolipoma
80
This is the most common cell type of Non-Hodgkin disease.
adrenal lymphoma
81
T/F? Adrenal involvement with lymphomas is common and frequently unilateral.
FALSE, *bilateral
82
The adrenal glands are the ___ most common metastatic site.
fourth
83
The most common primary sites are...
*lung*, breast, melanoma, kidney, thyroid, and colon cancers.
84
This is the most common adrenal mass seen in a newborn.
adrenal hemorrhage
85
Sonographically, the normal evolution of this adrenal condition ends with a pseudocyst formation.
adrenal hemorrhage
86
What is the most likely diagnosis in a newborn with an abdominal mass and decreasing hematocrit?
adrenal hemorrhage
87
The crus of the diaphragm is ___ to the aorta.
anterior
88
The crus of the diaphragm is ___ to the celiac axis.
superior
89
The crus of the diaphragm is ___ to the IVC.
posterior
90
The most common manifestation of retroperitoneal pathology is...
the presence of a mass.
91
Sonographic signs of retroperitoneal disease include...
1. displacement of normal structures to an abnormal location
2. direct invasion of adjacent organs
3. asymmetry of normal structures
4. silhouetting of normal structures by disease & loss of retroperitoneal?
92
If you find a mass you should...
1. Assess it in 2 dimensions.
2. Trace the circumference and measure it.
3. Assess for air or calcium
4. Assess if it is fixed or free
5. Determine echogenicity and blood flow.
6. Determine cystic, solid, or vascular.
7. Determine the relationship to other structures.
8. Determine its origin.
9. Check for the 'beak' sign, 'embedded organ' sign, and 'phantom organ' sign.
93
This is when a mass deforms the edge of an adjacent organ into a wedge shape, indicating that that is the organ of origin.
'beak' sign
94
This is when a mass compresses an adjacent organ, indicating that it is not the organ of origin.
'embedded organ' sign
95
This is when a large mass obscures a small organ, indicating that it is the organ of origin.
'phantom organ' sign
96
Solid masses of the retroperitoneum are usually classified into these categories:
1. lymphadenopathy
2. primary malignancies
3. secondary malignancies
4. infections
5. lesions that masquerade as solid masses
97
T/F? It if frequently possible to determine the categories of solid retroperitoneal masses by u/s alone.
FALSE, *not possible
98
The function of ___ is to form lymphocytes and antibodies to fight infections.
lymphnodes
99
The two classifications of lymphnodes are:
1. parietal nodes (aka deep)
| 2. visceral nodes (aka superficial)
100
These are located in the retroperitoneum along the coarse of the prevertebral vasculature, connected to each other by lymph vessels.
parietal nodes
101
T/F? Parietal nodes are positioned 360 degrees around the aorta and IVC.
true
102
These nodes lie in the peritoneal cavity and follow the visceral vasculature.
visceral nodes
103
Sonographically, these look like a hypoechoic solid mass with a hyperechoic fatty center, smooth margins, oval shape with interal vascular blood flow, usually measuring less than 1 cm.
normal lymphnodes
104
Sonographically, these appear as an enlarged hypoechoic mass greater than 1 cm with a loss of the hyperechoic fatty center with irregular margins and more round than oval. May displace adjacent structures.
abnormal lymphnodes
105
Enlarged retroperitoneal lymphnodes are referred to as...
lymphadenopathy.
106
T/F? U/s is the preferred modality for assessing lymphadenopathy.
FALSE, *CT
107
Sonographically, these appear as a symmetric, hypoechoic areas around the aorta, possibly with a 'floating aorta', 'silhouette', or 'mantle/sandwich' sign.
para-aortic nodes (lymphadenopathy)
108
If the angle of the SMA exceeds 15 degrees, what should be considered?
lymphadenopathy
109
This are a rare form of retroperitoneum tumor. Heterogeneous, secondary lesions.
germ cell tumors
110
T/F? Germ cell tumors are always benign.
FALSE, they may be either benign or malignant.
111
Where should you check next if you see a germ cell tumor in the retroperitoneum?
the scrotum
112
Name five kinds of benign retroperitoneal neoplasms.
1. fibroma
2. lipoma
3. mesothelioma
4. myxoma
5. teratoma
113
This retroperitoneal neoplasm is a hyperechoic mass consisting largely of fibrous connective tissue.
fibroma
114
This retroperitoneal neoplasm is a hyperechoic mass consisting of fatty tissue.
lipoma
115
This retroperitoneal neoplasm is a localized echogenic mass with irregular walls consisting of an abnormal growth of epithelial cells.
mesothelioma
116
This retroperitoneal neoplasm is a complex or echogenic mass consisting of connective tissue – usually extremely large.
myxoma
117
This retroperitoneal neoplasm is a complex mass composed of different types of tissues which do not occur together or at the site of the tumor.
teratoma
118
This is the most common primary malignant retroperitoneal tumor.
liposarcoma
119
These rare neoplasms arise and develop in the retroperitoneal space but are not attached to the adjacent retroperitoneal organs.
primary malignant retroperitoneal tumor
120
This is the most common type of soft tissue tumor.
liposarcoma
121
T/F? Liposarcomas only happen in the retroperitoneum and the extremeties.
FALSE, They can happen anywhere but those are the most common places.
122
Sonographically, these appear as a hyperechoic mass due to the large amount of fat content.
liposarcoma
123
T/F? Liposarcomas are usually large, as much as 20 lbs is not uncommon.
true
124
This is a malignant smooth muscle tumor.
leiomyosarcoma
125
This malignant tumor may be found in the uterus or GI tract as well as the retroperitoneum, tends to grow rapidly and invade nearby structures.
leiomyosarcoma
126
Sonographically, these appear as well-circumscribed mixed echogenicity that can have anechoic fluid filled areas due to hemorrhage and necrosis.
leiomyosarcoma
127
T/F? Leiomyosarcoma affects more men than women.
true
128
This is a highly malignant tumor of the striated muscle.
rhabdomyosarcoma
129
Sonographically, this appears as either a hyperechoic or complex mass in the retroperitoneum.
rhabdomyosarcoma
130
What are the four divisions of the pelvic retroperitoneum?
1. prevesical
2. rectovesical
3. presacral
4. bilateral pararectal & paravesical space
131
This space spans from the pubis to the anterior margin of the bladder, bordered laterally by the obturator fasica.
prevesical space aka space of retzius
132
This space spans from the bladder to the rectum.
rectovesical space
133
This space is located between the rectum and fasia covering the sacrum and posterior pelvic floor musculature.
presacral space
134
This space is bound laterally by the piriformis and levator ani fascia and medially by the rectum.
bilateral pararectal space
