Practice questions answers II Pathology of endocrine pancreas

Practice questions answers
Pathology of endocrine pancreas II
© Jun Wang, MD, PhD

1. E. Dizziness and sweating are commonly seen in patient with hypoglycemia, the most common acute complication in patient with diabetes. It can be confirmed with abnormally low blood glucose. Diabetic ketoacidosis has lower arterial pH and elevated ketone in urine, as well as hyperglycemia. Diabetic nephropathy has proteinuria and is more likely a chronic process without sudden onset of neurological symptoms, and does not cause hypoglycemia. Diabetic neuropathy is a chronic process involving both motor and sensory functions, but does not cause hypoglycemia. Hyperosmolar hyperosmotic syndrome has a blood glucose > 600 mg/dl.

2. D. The most common causes of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes include skipping meals, excessive exercise, excess insulin administration, etc. Excess fatty acid metabolism is seen in diabetic ketoacidosis. Glucagonoma causes hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia. Insulinoma may cause hypoglycemia, but not elevated HbA1c. Osmotic diuresis is seen in hyperosmolar hyperosmotic syndrome with a blood glucose > 600 mg/dl.

3. D. Macrovascular complications are the most common cause of mortality in patients with long standing diabetes. The pathogenesis include consequences of advance glycation end products and associated vascular inflammation and smooth muscle proliferation, alteration of extracellular matrix, PKC activation, oxidative stress and disturbance of polyol pathways. Smooth muscle proliferation, although is common in atherosclerosis caused by other disorders, is largely accelerated in patients with diabetes through advanced glycation end products. Atherosclerosis associated with endothelial injury caused by hypertension are more commonly seen in larger arteries. In patients with diabetes, the production of intracellular fructose is indeed increased. The ulcers/gangrenes in patients with diabetes are usually ischemic, due to atherosclerosis, not infection.

4. B. Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes, especially in those with early onset of microalbuminuria. It is the leading cause of end stage renal disease. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a major life-threatening complication, but it is more commonly associated with type I diabetes. Hypoglycemia  is the most common acute complication in patient with diabetes. Both are much less common than diabetic nephropathy. Lung cancer and sepsis are not major concerns of diabetes.

5. B. See discussion in question 4.

6. C. Sole proteinuria in a patient with diabetes is most consistent with diabetic nephropathy, commonly with diffuse and nodular glomerulosclerosis, diffuse mesangial sclerosis, diffuse capillary basement membrane thickening, or pyelonephritic type changes, such as tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and inflammation. Benign cyst formation, interstitial fibrosis and interstitial inflammation can be seen in autosomal dominant (adult) polycystic kidney disease. Diffuse neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration is more likely associated with pyelonephritis. Epithelial proliferation of Bowman’s capsule with crescent formation is seen in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Smooth muscle presentation may be seen in atherosclerosis, but  is less common in diabetic nephropathy.

7. E. Diabetic nephropathy is associated with increased glomerular extracellular matrix, resulted from hyperglycemia. Autoimmune glomerular injury is usually associated with nephritis, characterized by hematuria. Epithelial proliferation of Bowman’s capsule with crescent formation is seen in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

8. B. Sole proteinuria in a patient with diabetes is most consistent with diabetic nephropathy. Most nephritis usually has hematuria. End stage renal disease has elevated BUN and creatinine. Membranous glomerulonephritis has nephrotic syndrome, characterized by marked proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, edema and hypoalbuminemia.

9. B. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end stage renal disease. Impaired renal function is usually associated with hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Severe osteoporosis is more commonly associated with primary hyperparathyroidism, not end stage renal disease.

10. C. Progressive blurring vision in a patient with diabetes, without optic disc and lens abnormalities are most suggestive of diabetic retinopathy, especially with the presence of cotton wool spots. Cataract is lens abnormality. Diabetic optic neuropathy usually has edematous changes of the optic disc. Glaucoma has elevated intraocular pressure. Thyroid oculopathy is characterized by changes outside the eyes, not retina.

11. A. Recurrent hypoglycemia associated with increase insulin production (suggested by high insulin and C-peptide) is suggestive of insulinoma of pancreas. Drug effects, brain disorders and arrhythmia associated syncope usually do not have increase insulin production. Glucose tolerance test is for diabetes.

12. B. See discussion in question 11.

13. B. Benign appearing pancreas epithelial tumor in the background of elevated insulin production is most likely insulinoma. Glucagonoma is commonly associated with hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia. Pancreas adenocarcinoma with solid cords are high grade tumor, and usually have marked cytological atypia. Plasmacytoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma are negative for cytokeratin.

14. D. Pancreas tumor in a patient with presentations of diabetes and necrolytic migratory erythema is highly suggestive of Glucagonoma. Elevated C peptide and insulin are usually associated with hypoglycemia, insulinoma, or early stage type II diabetes. CA19.9 is associated with biliary/pancreas adenocarcinoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of ovary. Elevated gastrin is seen in Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, characterized by multiple gastric or duodenal benign ulcers.

15. A. See discussion in question 14.

16. E. See discussion in question 14. Peptic ulcers are commonly associated with helicobacter infections.

17. E. Patient with pancreas tumor and clinical presentation of WDHA syndrome (Watery Diarrhea, Hypokalemia, Achlorhydria) is likely to have VIPoma, a tumor producing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. It should be suspected in patients with unexplained high-volume secretory diarrhea. Also see discussion in question 14.

18. D. See discussion in questions 14 and 17. Chronic gastroenteritis usually does not have markedly elevated vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.


Back to contents

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Contents

Anemia

Lymphoid neoplasms