Do catecholamines influence the level of plasma leptin in patients with phaeochromocytoma?

The relationship between plasma leptin and catecholamine concentrations during chronic and acute catecholamine excess is studied. Patients with phaeochromocytoma, divided according to gender, were examined under basal conditions (n = 18) and at selected time-points during surgical removal of the tumour (n = 12). Appropriate controls were used (n = 23) for the basal study.

Do catecholamines influence the level of plasma leptin in patients with phaeochromocytoma?

The relationship between plasma leptin and catecholamine concentrations during chronic and acute catecholamine excess is studied. Patients with phaeochromocytoma, divided according to gender, were examined under basal conditions (n=18) and at selected time-points during surgical removal of the tumour (n=12). Appropriate controls were used (n=23) for the basal study.

Discriminatory power of MRI for differentiation of adrenal non-adenomas vs adenomas evaluated by means of ROC analysis: can biopsy be obviated?

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the discriminatory power of MRI in high-field magnet (1.5 T) for differentiation of adrenal non-adenomas vs adenomas assessing the following parameters separately and in combination: mean diameter of adrenal mass; previously described and new ratios as well as index calculated from signal intensity (SI) on SE T2-weighted images, chemical shift imaging (CSI), and Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic studies. One hundred eight adrenal masses (36 non-hyperfunctioning adenomas, 27 pheochromocytomas, 23 aldosterone-secreting adenomas, 20 malignant masses and 2 cortisol-secreting adenomas) in 95 patients were evaluated with SE sequences, CSI and Gd-DTPA dynamic studies.

Alterations in plasma neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity and catecholamine levels during surgical removal of pheochromocytoma.

Background: Neuropeptide Y, an abundant neurohormone present with catecholamines in the adrenal medulla, is a potent non-adrenergic vasoconstrictor and a vascular growth factor.

Objective: To determine the mechanism of the release from, and possible role of neuropeptide Y in, pheochromocytomas, compared with those of catecholamines.

Methods: Plasma and tumour levels of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactivity (by, radioimmunoassay) and of noradrenaline and adrenaline (by a radioenzymatic method) in 29 patients (19 women and 10 men, aged 22-68 years) were measured during surgical removal of the tumour, during alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic blockade.

Evaluation of plasma aldosterone to plasma renin activity ratio in patients with primary aldosteronism.

The plasma aldosterone to renin activity ratio (A/PRA) was assessed retrospectively in 103 patients with primary aldosteronism including 74 patients with surgically proven adrenal cortical adenoma (APA) and 29 patients with idiopathic adrenal cortical hyperplasia (IHA). The results were compared with those obtained in 31 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 45 healthy normotensive controls. The upper limit of normal A/PRA ratio, as obtained in the controls was 17.

[Evaluation of the usefulness for measuring catecholamines and their principle metabolites in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma].

Objective of the study was assessment of the usefulness of determination of noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) in urine and blood as well as the total methoxycatecholamines (MNA +MA), vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), DOPA and dopamine (DA) urinary excretion in diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The experience based on 155 patients with pheochromocytoma (105F, 50M, age 18-82 yrs) diagnosed in the Department of Hypertension and Angiology Academy of Medicine in Warsaw will be discussed. In all patients excluding 2 cases pheochromocytoma has been proven histopathologically.

Multiple adrenal masses: MRI tissue differentiation of pheochromocytoma and adenoma at 1.5 T.

We present the case of 38-year-old hypertensive patient with bilateral adrenal masses and with clinical and biochemical suspicion of pheochromocytoma. Magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T established correct diagnosis of coexisting adrenal pheochromocytoma and adenoma (nonhyperfunctioning).

Magnetic resonance imaging differentiation of adrenal masses at 1.5 T: T2-weighted images, chemical shift imaging, and Gd-DTPA dynamic studies.

The purpose of our study was to assess the potential role of spin-echo (SE), chemical shift, and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the differentiation of adrenal masses. Seventy-two adrenal masses (26 nonhyperfunctioning adenomas, 16 aldosterone-secreting adenomas and 6 other different benign cortical masses, 18 pheochromocytomas, and 6 malignant masses) in 63 patients were evaluated with spin-echo sequences, chemical shift imaging (CSI) and gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) dynamic studies. Ratios and indices of signal intensity for all examined MRI methods were calculated and examined for significance of difference between different types of adrenal masses.

Influence of alpha-adrenergic blockade on ventricular arrhythmias, QTc interval and heart rate variability in phaeochromocytoma.

There are strong experimental evidences that alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation significantly influences cardiac arrhythmogenesis, especially during myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. However, anti-arrhythmic effects of alpha-blockade in humans were scarcely utilised. Thus the purpose of our study was to assess these effects in patients with phaeochromocytoma.

[Familial occurrence of pheochromocytoma].

Familial occurrence of pheochromocytoma in mother and two sons (11 and 14 years old) is described. The diagnosis was based on biochemical tests and localization methods. Bilateral tumors were demonstrated on computerized tomographic scanning in two of our patients.

Postural stimulation test in patients with aldosterone producing adenomas.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postural stimulation test before and after surgical treatment in patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas.

Design: The retrospective study was made on patients with aldosterone producing adenomas.

Patients: The postural stimulation test was analysed in 60 patients with surgically proven aldosterone producing adenoma and in 15 healthy volunteers.

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in patients with pheochromocytoma.

The interaction between catecholamines (CA) and ANP is not clearly established. The effects of excess endogenous CA on ANP secretion can be investigated in patients with pheochromocytoma. We studied 27 patients with surgically and histologically proven pheochromocytoma (P) aged 19-70 years.

[Does hormonal activity of pheochromocytoma affect long-term prognosis in surgically treated patients?].

89 patients were operated upon for pheochromocytoma. 61 patients (37 women and 24 men) were available for follow-up. Mean age at operation was 39 +/- 12.

[Effect of isradipine on urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites in patients with pheochromocytoma].

An effect of calcium antagonist-isradipine-on catecholamines and their metabolites excretion with the urine in 4 patients with pheochromocytoma has been analysed. It was found that the excretion of OFFnoradrenaline and vanilaminomandelic acid is reduced. It may indicate inhibitory effect of calcium antagonists on catecholamines secretion in patients with pheochromocytoma.

[Blood pressure in patients after unilateral adrenalectomy for aldosterone producing adrenal adenoma].

Forty five patients (35 women and 10 men) who underwent adrenalectomy for aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma were followed up for 5.7 +/- 4.7 years (1-17 years).

[Test with clonidine for diagnosing pheochromocytoma].

Noradrenaline, adrenaline and mean arterial pressure prior to and 3 hours after clonidine administration were evaluated in order to assess a value of single dose of 0.3 mg clonidine in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The study involved 12 patients with pheochromocytoma, 17 patients with arterial hypertension, and 9 patients with borderline hypertension.

[Evaluation of the usefulness of certain localization methods in diagnosis of pheochromocytoma].

Localization tests including TC-scans, scintigraphy with 131I-radiolabelled metaiodobenzylguanidine and ultrasound have been performed in 68 patients with diagnosed pheochromocytoma. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and increased catecholamines and/or their metabolites excretion with the urine. Proper diagnosis with CT-scans was 97%, scintigraphy--92%, and ultrasound--93%; false negative results in scintigraphy amounted to 8% (3 patients) and 5% (3 patients) in case of ultrasound.

Long term follow-up after surgical removal of pheochromocytoma--observations in 61 patients.

89 patients were operated on for pheochromocytoma. 61 patients (37 women and 24 men) were available for extended follow-up. The final survey, performed 79.

Effect of removal of phaeochromocytoma on diurnal variability of blood pressure, heart rhythm and excretion of catecholamines.

Ambulatory 24 hour blood pressure and ECG monitoring with simultaneous estimation of the urinary excretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline were performed in seven patients with phaeochromocytoma, before and after removal of the tumour. Mean blood pressure during eight 3-hour periods, mean heart rate, and noradrenaline and adrenaline excretion during four 6-hour periods were estimated. Mean blood pressure before surgery did not show any significant circadian changes.

Intrapericardial pheochromocytoma: a case report.

A patient with a pheochromocytoma located intrapericardially is described. 131I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy was helpful in locating the tumour. The operation and postoperative course were uneventful.