Basic Adrenal Questions
Which adrenal vessel is a branch of the aorta?
Middle suprarenal artery
What is another name for Addison's disease?
Chronic primary hypoadrenalism
What is another name for Conn's Syndrome?
Hyperaldosteronism
In what quadrant do you need to be in if you are evaluating Morrison's pouch?
RUQ
Where are the adrenal glands located? (be specific)
In the retroperitoneum within the Gerota's fascia
What are the 2 main causes of Addison's and which impacts females more?
Idiopathic (females)
TB
What does a pheochromocytoma secrete excessively?
Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)
What is another name for a collapsed lung?
Pneumothorax
What does the medulla secrete? Type and examples
Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)
What sign do 98% of Addison patients present with?
Hyperpigmentation/skin bronzing
What is the most common malignancy of the adrenal glands in childhood and most common tumor of infancy?
Neuroblastoma
The goal of a FAST scan is to demonstrate the presence of what in the abdomen, pleural space, or pericardial space?
Free Fluid
Name at least 4 lab values that are related to the adrenal glands.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH, corticotropin)
Aldosterone
Cortisol
17-Ketogenic Steroids (17-KS)
Potassium
Sodium
Shrunken glands
Leaf-like appearance
What is the most common primary adrenal tumor?
Benign nonfunctioning adenoma
What does FAST stand for?
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
Name the layers of the cortex from outer to inner.
Zona glomerulosa
Zona fasciculata
Zona reticularis
What is another name for acute hypoadrenalism?
Waterhouse‐Friderichsen Syndrome
What values are increased and which are decreased with Cushing's Syndrome?
Increased: ACTH, WBC, and blood glucose levels
Decreased: serum potassium
What is being evaluated on a FAST scan if the transducer is in the subxyphoid area (angle superiorly from just inferior to the xyphoid process)?
Pericardial effusion