What is adrenal medullary hyperplasia?

Adrenal medullary hyperplasia is a cause of increased secretion of catecholamines by the adrenal gland that is rarely considered among the differential diagnoses of endocrine hypertension.

What is adrenal medulla?

Listen to pronunciation. (uh-DREE-nul meh-DOO-luh) The inner part of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney). The adrenal medulla makes chemicals such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) which are involved in sending nerve signals.

What are the symptoms of adrenal medullary hyperplasia?

Patients with AMH without pheochromocytoma had milder symptoms compared with the control group, including lower rates of headaches, palpitations, sweating, feeling “warm flush,” nausea, weight loss, tremor, paroxysmal symptoms, and orthostatic symptoms.

What function does the adrenal medulla perform?

The adrenal medulla, the inner part of an adrenal gland, controls hormones that initiate the flight or fight response. The main hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla include epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which have similar functions.

How do you know if you have an adrenal tumor?

Symptoms of adrenal tumors depend on which type of tumor you have and where it is located. Common symptoms include a rise in blood pressure, unexplained weight gain or weakness, dramatically increased thirst or urination, or other symptoms.

What kind of doctor treats adrenal problems?

If you have adrenal insufficiency, your provider will refer you to an endocrinologist — a hormone specialist.

What percent of adrenal tumors are malignant?

“Although the majority of these tumors are benign, around 30% of adrenal tumors greater than 4 cm are malignant – most represented by adrenal cortical carcinoma, and the survival rate for these patients is very poor unless detected early.”

How do I know if my adrenal gland is cancerous?

Muscle weakness. Pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Hormone changes in women that might cause excess facial hair, hair loss on the head and irregular periods. Hormone changes in men that might cause enlarged breast tissue and shrinking testicles.

What are the clinicopathologic findings of adrenal medullary hyperplasia?

This study presents the clinicopathologic findings in four new cases of adrenal medullary hyperplasia. The patients presented with episodic hypertension frequently associated with palpitations, headache, and diaphoresis. All four had elevated urinary catecholamine levels during attacks, and were tho …

Does adrenal medullary hyperplasia affect blood pressure control?

The patient underwent left adrenalectomy, and the pathology study revealed the presence of adrenal medullary hyperplasia. After surgery, blood pressure control was achieved with one antihypertensive drug, and the patient did not have recurrent hypertensive crisis.

What is the difference between pheochromocytomas and adrenal medullary hyperplasia?

Adrenal medullary hyperplasia (AMH) presents with milder signs and symptoms compared with pheochromocytomas, with the exception of Cushing symptoms, according to study results published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. Data for AMH are scarce, given the rarity of the condition, which can make it difficult to diagnose.

What is the relationship between AMH and genetic syndromes?

The researchers found that 58% of patients with AMH had a genetic syndrome (mainly multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A) compared with only 4% of those with pheochromocytomas without AMH ( P <.001).