Pheochromocytoma resection — MCQs

A 30-year-old man comes to the physician for follow-up evaluation for hypertension. He reports a 1-month history of episodic throbbing headaches, palpitations, and paroxysmal sweating. Blood pressure is 160/90 mm Hg. He appears pale but physical examination is otherwise unremarkable. Laboratory studies show elevated urine and plasma metanephrines. A CT scan of the abdomen shows a mass in the left adrenal gland. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy for this patient?

A 25-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a severe pulsatile headache for an hour. He says that he is having palpitations as well. He adds that he has had several episodes of headache in the past which resolved without seeking medical attention. He is a non-smoker and does not drink alcohol. He denies use of any illicit drugs. He looks scared and anxious. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), respirations are 25/min, pulse is 107/min, and blood pressure is 221/161 mm Hg. An urgent urinalysis reveals elevated plasma metanephrines. What is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A 20-year-old man is brought to the emergency room for evaluation of a back injury sustained while at work. A CT scan of the lumbar spine shows an incidental 2-cm mass adjacent to the inferior vena cava. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen of the mass shows clusters of chromaffin cells. This mass is most likely to secrete which of the following substances?

A 30-year-old man comes to the physician after receiving a high blood pressure reading of 160/90 mm Hg at an annual employee health check-up. During the past few months, the patient has had occasional headaches and mild abdominal pain, both of which were relieved with ibuprofen. He has also had several episodes of heart palpitations. He has no history of serious illness. His mother and father both have hypertension. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 10 years and drinks one glass of wine daily. He occasionally smokes marijuana. He appears pale. His temperature is 36.8°C (98.2°F), pulse is 103/min, and blood pressure is 164/102 mm Hg. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 15.3 g/dL Leukocyte count 7,900/mm3 Platelet count 223,000/mm3 Serum Na+ 138 mEq/L K+ 4.6 mEq/L Cl- 103 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 14 mg/dL Glucose 90 mg/dL Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL Plasma metanephrines 1.2 nmol/L (N < 0.5 nmol/L) Urine toxicology screening is positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Renal doppler shows no abnormalities. A CT scan of the abdomen shows a mass in the left adrenal gland. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management of this patient?

A 43-year-old male with a history of thyroid cancer status post total thyroidectomy presents to his primary care physician after repeated bouts of headaches. His headaches are preceded by periods of anxiety, palpitations, and sweating. The patient says he is unable to pinpoint any precipitating factors and instead says the events occur without warning. Of note, the patient's father and uncle also have a history of thyroid cancer. On exam his vitals are: T 36.8 HR 87, BP 135/93, RR 14, and O2 Sat 100% on room air. The patient's TSH is within normal limits, and he reports taking his levothyroxine as prescribed. What is the next best step in diagnosing this patient's chief complaint?

A 67-year-old woman with tertiary hyperparathyroidism and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis has persistent hypercalcemia (calcium 12.8 mg/dL) despite maximal medical management with cinacalcet and vitamin D restriction. She has severe pruritus, calciphylaxis, and vascular calcifications. All four parathyroid glands are enlarged on imaging. Evaluate the optimal surgical strategy considering her complex medical status and need for ongoing dialysis access.

A 30-year-old man presents with a 6 cm adrenal mass discovered incidentally. Biochemical workup shows elevated 24-hour urine metanephrines and plasma free metanephrines. He also has elevated serum calcium, PTH, and a pancreatic head mass on CT. Genetic testing confirms MEN 2B syndrome. Evaluate the management priorities and sequencing of interventions.

A 38-year-old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism (calcium 11.8 mg/dL, PTH 185 pg/mL) has negative sestamibi scan and ultrasound. She desires surgical cure and has no medical contraindications. She has a Z-score of -2.8 on DEXA scan and a history of recurrent kidney stones. Evaluate the surgical approach and expected outcomes.

A 55-year-old woman presents with a 4 cm thyroid nodule. FNA shows Hurthle cell neoplasm (follicular variant). Preoperative ultrasound shows no lymphadenopathy. She undergoes thyroid lobectomy, and final pathology reveals a 3.8 cm Hurthle cell carcinoma with capsular invasion but no vascular invasion. Analyze the pathology findings and determine the next step in management.

A 42-year-old woman with a family history of pheochromocytoma undergoes resection of a 5 cm right adrenal mass. Preoperatively, she was adequately alpha-blocked with phenoxybenzamine. During tumor manipulation, her blood pressure rises to 220/130 mmHg despite anesthesia deepening. Immediately after tumor removal, her blood pressure drops to 70/40 mmHg. Analyze the hemodynamic changes and determine management priorities.