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The use of venous catheterization in the diagnosis and localization of bilateral phaeochromocytomas
Author(s) -
Newbould E. C.,
Ross G. A.,
Dacle J. E.,
Bouloux P. M. G.,
Besser G. M.,
Grossman A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1991.tb03496.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vein , catheter , catecholamine , pheochromocytoma , radiology , venous blood , urology
Summary. objective The purpose was to assess the value of venous catheter sampling as a method for the location of phaeochromocytomas, particularly when imaging techniques have been equivocal or ambiguous. design Venous catheter sampling was carried out in cases of suspected phaeochromocytoma, and compared with samples obtained from other patients without phaeochromocytomas undergoing adrenal venous catheterization. patients Three patients had phaeochromocytomas (subsequently confirmed by histology); five patients had no clinical or biochemical evidence of phaeochromocytoma but were being Investigated for other conditions. MEASUREMENTS Catecholamlne and cortisol assays were performed on plasma samples from the adrenal veins and elsewhere, and the noradrenallne to adrenaline (NA:AD) ratio was calculated. results In patients without phaeochromocytomas the NA:AD ratio was < 1 In nine adrenal vein samples; In four adrenal vein samples with NA:AD ratio of > 1, the presence of a phaeochromocytoma was subsequently confirmed. An extra‐adrenal tumour was also located by comparison of central and peripheral venous catecholamine concentrations. conclusions Venous catheterization with measurements of catecholamines, and determination of NA:AD ratios, allows for the rapid and confident diagnosis and localization of unllateral, bilateral, and extra‐adrenal phaeochromocytomas.