Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Endocrine incidentalomas
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. monikashirodkar@yahoo.com
International Journal of Clinical Practice
|July 29, 2008
Summary
Endocrine incidentalomas in the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands are common. This review guides physicians on initial workup for these common findings discovered during non-endocrine imaging.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Endocrine incidentalomas are frequently discovered during imaging for unrelated conditions.
- These include masses in the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland.
- Primary care physicians often encounter these findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To familiarize healthcare professionals with endocrine incidentalomas.
- To provide guidance on initiating appropriate endocrine workup for these common findings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PubMed and Medline databases.
- Discussion of clinical approaches from an endocrine clinic.
Main Results:
- Thyroid incidentalomas (up to 50% prevalence) require TSH testing and potentially biopsy.
- Adrenal incidentalomas (nearly 5% prevalence) necessitate pheochromocytoma workup, with resection for >4cm nodules.
- Pituitary incidentalomas (10-20% prevalence) require hormonal evaluation and screening for deficits in macroadenomas.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate initial workup is crucial for managing thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary incidentalomas.
- Management strategies vary based on gland, size, and hormonal activity.
- Early identification and tailored endocrine assessment improve patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
00:59Structures of the Endocrine System
The intricate framework of the endocrine system encompasses a diverse array of glands, with their target tissues and organs strategically distributed throughout the body. Central to this network are the endocrine glands, specialized structures that lack ducts and release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid. Notably, the hypothalamus, a vital neuroendocrine organ situated in the brain, governs neural functions and serves as a potent source of hormonal regulation. Near the hypothalamus...
00:59The Parathyroid Glands
The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
01:27Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
01:08Intracellular Hormone Receptors
Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across the plasma and nuclear membrane of target cells to bind to their specific intracellular receptors. These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in the target cell
01:19Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral stimuli,...
Humoral stimuli,...
01:19Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...