Assessment of Multiple endocrine neoplasia: Pathology review: Video | Osmosis

Question

A 34-year-old woman comes to the office complaining of consistent diarrhea for the last 2 months. The patient has experienced watery, tea-colored diarrhea that happens even when she has not eaten anything. She denies any associated abdominal pain or difficulty swallowing. The patient feels fatigued and weak with muscle cramps which she attributes to being dehydrated. Medical history includes hyperparathyroidism and nephrolithiasis. The patient’s temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 100/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg. Physical examination shows dry mucous membranes and decreased skin turgor without abdominal tenderness. Laboratory tests show the following:

Laboratory value	Result
Sodium	144 mEq/L
Potassium	2.5 mEq/L
Chloride	93 mEq/L
Bicarbonate	21 mEq/L
Calcium	12 mg/dL
Glucose	250 mg/dL
Parathyroid hormone	350 pg/mL

Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of this patient’s symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Vasoactive intestinal peptide secretion

Answer

Calcitonin secretion

Answer

Catecholamine secretion

Answer

Gastrin secretion

Answer

Somatostatin secretion

Questions or feedback?

Multiple endocrine neoplasia: Pathology review

Pathology

Endocrine system