Peri-adrenal hemangioma mimicking a pheochromocytoma on metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan.

Pheochromocytomas account for less than one percent of hypertension and are usually suspected because of clinical manifestations, confirmed by laboratory evaluation and subsequently localized by radiology. Higher HU units on pre-contrast CT and hyperintense signal on T2 weighted MRI images are often seen in pheochromocytoma. Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans have been widely used to localize pheochromocytoma and false-positive scans are reported to be rare.

Can a model predictive of vitamin D status be developed from common laboratory tests and demographic parameters?

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent and has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality. There has been an increase in testing for vitamin D with a concomitant increase in costs. While individual factors are significantly linked to vitamin D status, prior studies have not yielded a model predictive of vitamin D status or 25(OH)D levels.

Race and vitamin D status and monitoring in male veterans.

African Americans have lower vitamin D levels and reduced health outcomes compared to white Americans. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to adverse health outcomes in African Americans. We hypothesized that race would be associated with vitamin D status and testing in African Americans veterans, and that vitamin D status is a major contributor to health care costs in African American veterans compared to white veterans.

Vitamin D: Lessons from the veterans population.

Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) is likely to be present in about 40% of veterans and is associated with much higher health care costs and service use. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is likely to be higher in certain subgroups such as ethnic minorities, those who are chronically ill, and nursing home residents. The lack of adequate sunlight exposure and poor dietary intake are common contributors to this deficient state.

The relationship of vitamin D status to cardiovascular risk factors and amputation risk in veterans with peripheral arterial disease.

Objectives: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common and often overlooked entity responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence suggests that nontraditional risk factors such as vitamin D may contribute to atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that vitamin D status was associated with cardiovascular risk factors and that vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <20 ng/mL) enhanced the risk of amputation.

Vitamin D deficiency: an increasing concern in peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease is a common and often overlooked entity responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence suggests that nontraditional risk factors such as vitamin D deficiency may contribute to atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, hence monitoring of vitamin D status is essential. This review tries to examine this entity.

Testing for vitamin D deficiency in veterans-is there a seasonal bias?

Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine if a seasonal bias was present for vitamin D testing among Northeast Tennessee veterans, in whom vitamin D deficiency is common.

Design: Medical chart review.

Setting: VA Medical Center.