Anterior pituitary gland disorders Pathophysiology
The anterior pituitary is the front portion of the pituitary gland which is a small gland in the head called the master gland. Certain hormones that are secreted by the anterior pituitary influence growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, and adrenocortical function. The anterior pituitary gland is a major organ of the endocrine system. The anterior pituitary, is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior lobe (posterior pituitary, or the neurohypophysis) makes up the pituitary gland (hypophysis) (Oxford University Press, 2015). Some of the hormones that are secreted are growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic
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People with a family history of certain hereditary conditions, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I), have an increased risk of pituitary tumors. With MEN I, multiple tumors occur in various glands of the endocrine system and genetic testing is available for this disorder.
Clinical Manifestations, Medical management and complications
Clinical features
Presentation of pituitary disease, mostly associated with a space-occupying lesion, may result from:
1. Local mass effects- this often cause headaches, visual field defects (mostly typically bitemporal hemianopia or upper temporal quadrantanopia) and ocular nerve palsies.
2. Pituitary hormone deficits - producing wide-ranging effects as a result of single or multiple deficiencies, with growth hormone and gonadotropins (LH and FSH) usually affected first, followed much later by ACTH and TSH.
3. Pituitary hormone hypersecretion - usually arising as a consequence of neoplastic proliferation of particular cell types within the gland, producing complex and disabling syndromes such as Cushing’s disease or acromegaly (Lewis, 2011).
Diagnostic
pituitary is not creating as much TSH. This would cause the Thyroid to stop producing T4
Two pt verifier name/dob confirmed. Informed the pt this a f/u call to address s/p/ pituitary Adenoma. Pt states that is doing much better but he occasional have a headache and stuffy nose. Discuss dc instructions medication, and f/u appt with the pt. Discuss s/s that would warrant the pt to seek medical attention immediately. Encourage the pt f/u with his PCM. During conversation pt request refill on his Synthroid. Informed the pt a courtesy 90 day supply was ordered. Again recommend that he f/u with his provider. Pt refused appt at this time, but states that he will call CAMO to schedule an appt. Pt agrees and verbalized
In the female reproductive system a hormone known as estrogen is controlled by gonadotropin which is controlled by negative feedback. During negative feedback from the estrogen prevent the anterior pituitary gland
Twenty-Three experts contributed to this, focusing more on specific endocrinology. Written for, and by, scholarly medical experts.
Cushing’s disease is a disease of the endocrine system that is recognized by the overproduction of the pituitary gland which releases the hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that in return leads to an overactive adrenal gland which produces a stress hormone called cortisol. The overproduction is caused by a tumor or additional growth at the base of the brain. This tumor is called an adenoma which is usually not a cancerous growth.
An 18-year-old woman presented with persistent bilateral lactation, excess body weight with leg swelling and unbalanced gait, and recurrent hypercalcemia. Patient experienced increasingly frequent headaches and visual field changes. Developed panhypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus (DI) after going through with transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. Patient was treated with levothyroxine (T4) for secondary hypothyroidism. She received other hormone replacement therapy, including desmopressin acetate, conjugated estrogen, growth hormone, and bromocriptine. She developed recurrent kidney stones and diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. She was also found to have multiple thyroid nodules and underwent a 4-gland
The disease can strike suddenly and be hard to diagnose while patients who are exposed to the drugs associated with high cortisol levels are usually screened for the syndrome when symptoms emerge. In one patient, Chondra Hungerford, it struck her when she was in the peak physical condition of her whole life. She was an amateur body builder and fitness enthusiast who could clean and jerk 200 pounds and bench press 185, but in a matter of months, she went from a 5 foot 6 inch, 120-pound muscle machine to 176 pounds and desperately ill (Dador, 2013). Fortunately for Chondra, doctors were able to identify the disease and remove a tumor at the base of the skull where the pituitary gland is positioned. Within four months Chondra had
A pituitary tumor can cause loss of vision in one or both eyes depending on its size and shape. The pituitary gland sits in the pituitary sella, which is almost directly behind the eye. If the pituitary tumor gets large enough and grows laterally, it can push against the optic nerve and stop the message for getting to the cerebral cortex. An individual with a pituitary tumor will first notice notice dark, blurry, or dim vision. Sometimes it will only affect vision on one side, when it affects both sides of vision, it's pressing against the optic chiasm.
Cushing Disease is the result of the excessive production of corticosteroids generally caused by ACTH-secreting benign pituitary microadenoma. Treatment of cushing disease is usually challenging. In some reccurent and permanent cases or sometimes in life-threatening conditions for rapid hormonal control even we have to use bilateral adrenolectomy.
Surgery on the pituitary gland and around the sellar region is of special interest to the neurosurgeon. The approach to the gland has evolved over the past 50 years and so has the role of steroids in the perioperative management of these patients. Being one of the organs that play a key role in the hormonal balance of an individual, the neurosurgeon should be particularly careful that all steps must be taken to optimise the hormonal status and also ensure there is no disruption in that balance postoperatively. For more than half a decade the meticulous administration of steroid perioperatively has become common place. Today, however, the old philosophies are being challenged and new philosophies pioneered creating a paradigm shift in the way we manage patient requiring an operation around the sellar region, in particular pituitary surgery.
Another symptom of the deficiency
The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones, which help to regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, reproduction, sleep, and mood — LiveScience.com states. Two examples of endocrine disorders include growth hormone problems and adrenal insufficiency. While both of these problems have a big impact on people's’ lives, growth hormone problems have a bigger impact on teens for several reasons.
Pituitary gigantism is a rare endocrine disorder in which the anterior pituitary releases an excess of growth hormone (GH) during childhood before the epiphyseal plates close, causing abnormal increased somatic growth in the patient, occurring usually because of a pituitary tumor, also called an adenoma (Goldenberg et al. 2009). There are several treatments that can usually prevent pituitary gigantism or halt the rapid growth if caught early enough. These treatments include drug therapy, surgical removal of the adenoma, and radiation therapy (Flitsch et al. 2000). It is crucial that pituitary gigantism is detected and treated before excessive growth occurs, as it can cause uneven and abnormal growth in the extremities, facial deformities, severe headaches, blindness, and a shortened life expectancy (de Herder 2008). However, if treated soon enough, patients can live a long, healthy and happy life. Below, I will detail the different methods of treatment and how they work.
A disorder that takes place when your body produces an insufficient amount of certain hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands is called Addison’s disease. With Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and often times an insufficient amount of aldosterone as well. Doctors sometimes refer to Addison’s disease as the illness of chronic adrenal insufficiency, or also called hypocortisolism.
ACTH-independent Cushings Syndrome typically originates from abnormalities of the adrenal gland. Adrenal adenoma and adrenal carcinoma occur when there is a benign or cancerous tumor on the adrenal gland. These tumors can cause over production of cortisol, disrupting homeostasis. Other diseases like Carney complex and McCune Albright syndrome have also been associated with abnormalities of the adrenal gland, causing overproduction of cortisol. A final form of cushings syndrome is exogenous glucocorticoid administration.