A Carcinoid tumors and carcinoid syndrome Definition Carcinoid tumors consist of slow-growing malignancies composed of enterochromaffin cells usually found in the gastrointestinal tract. They may also occur in the lung,…
B Gallstones and gallbladder disease Cholecystitis Definition Obstruction of the cystic duct by gallstones results in acute, severe midepigastric pain, typically radiating to the right abdomen. Inspiratory effort usually accentuates…
K Hypothyroidism Definition and incidence Hypothyroidism is a state of thyroid gland hypofunction resulting in decreased circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones. Laboratory findings show decreased plasma T3 and T4 concentrations…
J Hyperthyroidism Definition Hyperthyroidism is defined as thyroid gland hyperactivity. Thyrotoxicosis is more specifically defined as a state of thyroid hormone excess. The most common cause of thyrotoxicosis in the…
I Hypoparathyroidism Definition Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder characterized by inadequate secretion of PTH or a peripheral resistance to its effect. Patients with hypoparathyroidism typically have low serum calcium levels. The…
H Hyperparathyroidism Definition and incidence Primary hyperparathyroidism is characterized and diagnosed by the presence of elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels despite high serum calcium levels. The incidence of primary…
G Hypoaldosteronism Definition Hypoaldosteronism causes hyperkalemia in the absence of renal insufficiency. Isolated deficiency of aldosterone secretion may reflect congenital deficiency of aldosterone synthetase or hyporeninemia resulting from a defect…
F Hyperaldosteronism Definition Conn’s syndrome, the most common form of primary aldosteronism, results from hypersecretion of aldosterone from an adrenal adenoma independent of stimulus. Pathophysiology Primary aldosteronism may also be…
D Diabetes insipidus Definition Diabetes insipidus (DI) reflects the absence of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) owing to the destruction of the posterior pituitary gland (neurogenic DI) or failure of the renal…
C Cushing’s disease Definition Cushing’s syndrome results in diverse complex symptoms, signs, and biochemical abnormalities caused by excess glucocorticoid hormone. Pathophysiology The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome today is…
