scholarly journals Adrenal Mass Hemorrhage Clinically Mimicking a Pheochromocytoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A112-A112
Author(s):  
Panadeekarn Panjawatanan ◽  
Muhammad Daniyal ◽  
Juan Jose Delgado Hurtado
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Mass ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Adrenal Adenoma ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Healthy Woman ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Mri Findings ◽  
Plasma Metanephrines ◽  
Urine Metanephrines

Abstract Background: A pheochromocytoma is diagnosed clinically using correlation of clinical, imaging, and laboratory studies. We report the case of an adrenal mass hemorrhage that presented with significantly elevated urine metanephrines mimicking a pheochromocytoma. Clinical Case: A 59-year-old healthy woman presented to the ED with chest pain, left flank and upper quadrant pain associated with diaphoresis and palpitations. Vital signs were significant for a pulse of 92 bpm, and a BP of 213/88 mm Hg. Physical exam revealed tenderness to palpation on the left upper quadrant and left costovertebral angle. Laboratory tests were significant for an elevated D-dimer (2,449 ng/mL, reference range 215–499 ng/mL). CT abdomen with IV contrast showed a 3.5 x 2.9 cm round mass abutting the lateral limb of the left adrenal gland with surrounding fat stranding with suspicion of inflammation or hemorrhage. 24-hour urine metanephrines showed elevated metanephrine (7,227 mcg/24hr; reference range <400 mcg/24 hr) and normetanephrine (1,209 mcg/24hr; reference range 900 mcg/24 hr). In the setting of up trending cardiac enzymes and inferior-lateral ST segment depression, a cardiac catheterization was performed which was unrevealing. She was discharged from the hospital and referred to endocrinology. On that visit, ~ 1 month after the patient was admitted to the hospital, plasma metanephrines were ordered which showed mildly elevated plasma metanephrine (0.83 nmol/L; reference range <0.5 nmol/L) and normetanephrine (1.2 nmol/L; reference ranges <0.9 nmol/L). An MRI abdomen with and without contrast revealed a 2.7 x 2.2 x 1.8 cm nodule arising from the lateral limb, with loss of signal on in-phase images suggestive of blood products. Plasma metanephrines and MRI findings ruled out the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma. Conclusion: To our knowledge, few cases of an adrenal mass hemorrhage clinically mimicking a pheochromocytoma have been reported. Although the inpatient clinical presentation of our patient was consistent with this, the outpatient plasma metanephrines and MRI were not. An adrenal adenoma hemorrhage should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for elevated metanephrines, which can clinically mimick a pheochromocytoma. References: (1)Sekos K, Short T, Ing SW. Adrenal hemorrhage due to hypercoagulable state mimicking pheochromocytoma. Journal of Clinical and Translational Endocrinology: Case Report. 8. 9–12. 2018.(2)Wordsworth S, Thomas B, Agarwal N, Hoddell K, Davies S. Elevated urinary cathecholamines and adrenal haemorrhage mimicking phaechromocytoma. BMJ Case Reports. 2010.

Properly collected plasma metanephrines excludes PPGL after false positive screening tests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A Kline ◽  
Jessica Boyd ◽  
Brenda Polzin ◽  
Adrian Harvey ◽  
Janice L Pasieka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
False Positive ◽  
Adrenal Mass ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Total Positivity ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Plasma Metanephrines ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Urine Metanephrines

Abstract Context False positive results are common for pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma(PPGL) real-world screening. Objective Determine the correlation between screening urine and seated plasma metanephrines in outpatients where PPGL was absent, compared to meticulously prepared and supine-collected plasma metanephrines with age-adjusted references. Design Retrospective cohort study Setting Databases from a single-provider provincial laboratory(2012-2018), a validated PPGL registry and a manual chart review from a specialized endocrine testing unit. Patients PPGL registry data excluded known PPGL cases from the laboratory database. Outpatients having both urine and plasma metanephrines <90 days apart. Methods The correlation between urine and seated plasma measures along with the total positivity rate. All cases of plasma metanephrines drawn in the endocrine unit were reviewed for test indication and test positivity rate. Results There were 810 non-PPGL pairs of urine and plasma metanephrines in the laboratory database; 46.1% of urine metanephrines were reported high. Of seated outpatient plasma metanephrines drawn a median of 5.9 days later, 19.2% were also high (r=0.33 and 0.50 for normetanephrine and metanephrine, respectively). In contrast, the meticulously prepared and supine collected patients(n=139, 51% prior high urine metanephrines) had <3% rate of abnormal high results in patients without known PPGL/adrenal mass. Conclusions There was a poor-to-moderate correlation between urine and seated plasma metanephrines. Up to 20% of those with high urine measures also had high seated plasma metanephrines in the absence of PPGL. Properly prepared and collected supine plasma metanephrines had a false positive rate of <3% in the absence of known PPGL/adrenal mass.

Monitoring of rivaroxaban levels in patients with class III obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (13) ◽  
pp. 1013-1017
Author(s):  
Laura Pahlmeyer ◽  
James Huang
Keyword(s):  
Reference Range ◽  
Trough Level ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Patient Case ◽  
Class Iii Obesity

Abstract Purpose There is little evidence to guide the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with class III obesity. Clinicians face the dilemma that using DOACs in patients with class III obesity may not provide adequate anticoagulation, while avoiding DOACs may deprive them of a useful therapeutic option. We present 2 cases describing our experience navigating rivaroxaban use in patients with class III obesity and review available case reports of measurement of rivaroxaban levels using a calibrated anti–factor Xa assay. Summary In patient case 1, the rivaroxaban trough level was within the reference range, and therapy was continued. In patient case 2, the rivaroxaban trough level was below the reference range, and the patient’s anticoagulation therapy was switched to warfarin. No thromboembolic events were noted in the 2 patients more than 1 year (15 and 22 months, respectively) after initiation of anticoagulation therapy. Because of the many advantages associated with use of DOACs instead of vitamin K antagonists, further research is critical to enabling clinicians to use DOACs more confidently in a broader population. Conclusion When monitoring rivaroxaban therapy in patients with class III obesity, there is uncertainty regarding clinical interpretation of drug levels that fall outside of established reference ranges, and monitoring is not standardized or widely available. In addition to case reports found in the literature, the presented cases highlight these challenges and differing clinical decisions made when evaluating rivaroxaban levels in patients with class III obesity.

scholarly journals MON-220 Real World Performance of Urinary and Plasma Metanephrine Assays in Diagnosing Phaeochromocytoma/Paraganglioma

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eithar Deyab ◽  
Dina Saleh ◽  
Ravi Kumar Menon
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Adrenal Adenoma ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Positive Urine ◽  
Plasma Metanephrines ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Urine Metanephrines ◽  
Urinary Metanephrines

Abstract Introduction: Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) can be challenging. Plasma metanephrines have highest sensitivity (96-99%) yet lowest specificity (85%)1 whereas 24-hour urinary metanephrines have 87.5% sensitivity and 99.7% specificity. Diagnostic accuracy depends on factors such as patient positioning and medications, questioning its potential value in a hospital setting. Methods: The audit was performed in a hospital which caters to a population of 400,000. Data was collected retrospectively on patients who had a request for plasma or urine metanephrines from March 2018 – September 2018. Results: A total of 85 patient order requests (58% male, 42% female) were reviewed; only 2 patients were ultimately diagnosed with a pheochromocytoma. The mean age of patients was 48 years. The most common indication for requests was hypertension (64 patients). Locations of order requests included 42% from outpatient clinics, 32% inpatient requests, 18% from Ambulatory Care, 6% by A&E and 2% by GP. Of the 27 (32%) inpatient requests, 10 had positive results: 1 diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, 1 with hypercortisolism and the others had no definite diagnosis. 8/10 patients with positive results did not have a repeat test. Focusing on plasma metanephrines, 52% plasma metanephrines samples were negative, 22% were positive and 26% were not processed due to laboratory error. From the 19 positive plasma metanephrines, adrenal adenoma was present in 7 patients (from this group, 1 was referred for surgery with confirmed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma), 1 patient’s MIBG scan was negative and 1 diagnosis of stress-related raised metanephrines was made. The remaining 10 patients did not undergo an adrenal scan. 9 out of 18 cases with positive urine metanephrines had an adrenal adenoma. In 7/9, plasma metanephrines were positive, the remaining 2 had negative plasma metanephrines. 34 cases with initial negative test still had another urine/plasma metanephrines performed with similar negative result. Furthermore <50% of the positive urine or plasma metanephrines were referred to and reviewed by the Endocrine team. Discussion: This audit highlights the potential pitfalls of investigating PPGL with plasma and urinary metanephrines, and in fact raises the question of its accuracy as an inpatient diagnostic tool as none of the positive inpatient tests resulted in a diagnosis of PPGL. Inappropriate urine and plasma metanephrines requests cause financial burden and patient anxiety. Even with outpatient requests, few positive results led to a PPGL diagnosis. Patient selection and conditions of testing must be more rigorously scrutinised and threshold for positive result must be raised for specificity of the test to be improved in ‘real world’ conditions. References: 1. Lenders JW al. Biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma: which test is best? JAMA. 2002.

A UK national audit of the laboratory investigation of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma

2021 ◽  
pp. 000456322110467
Author(s):  
Christopher Boot ◽  
Barry Toole ◽  
Sharman Harris ◽  
Lisa Tetlow ◽  
Wassif S Wassif
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Laboratory Investigation ◽  
Clinical Biochemistry ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
First Line ◽  
Endocrine Society ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Plasma Metanephrines ◽  
Urine Metanephrines

Background Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine secreting tumours associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis and management are essential. A range of laboratory tests can be utilised in the investigation of PPGL. There is scope for significant variation in practice between centres. We aimed to investigate how the laboratory investigation of PPGL is performed in laboratories across the United Kingdom. Methods A questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was circulated to Clinical Biochemistry laboratories in the United Kingdom via the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine office. The survey was designed to allow audit against Endocrine Society Guidelines on the Investigation and Management of PPGL and to obtain information on other important aspects not included in these guidelines. Results Responses were received from 58 laboratories and the data were compiled. The majority of laboratories use either urine or plasma metanephrines in first-line testing for PPGL, although a number of different combinations of biochemistry tests are utilised in different centres. All laboratories measuring metanephrines or catecholamines in-house use LC or LC-MS/MS methods. There are some marked differences between laboratories in urine metanephrines reference ranges used and sample requirements. Conclusions There is evidence of good practice in UK laboratories (as assessed against Endocrine Society Guidelines) such as widespread use of urine/plasma metanephrines and appropriate analytical methodologies used. However, there is also evidence of variations in practice in some areas that should be addressed.

scholarly journals SAT-214 Steroid Induced Pheochromocytoma Crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Eagan ◽  
Juan Munoz Pena ◽  
Diana Barb
Keyword(s):  
Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Adrenal Adenoma ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Volume Depletion ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
High Clinical Suspicion ◽  
History Of ◽  
Slight Elevation ◽  
Urine Metanephrines

Abstract BACKGROUND: The factors triggering adrenergic crisis in pheochromocytoma are most often related to induction during anesthesia or manipulation of tumor during surgery. A variety of drugs have also been reported to be associated with adrenergic crisis, however there are only scarce case reports on pheochromocytoma crisis induced by steroids. Here we present a case of steroid induced pheochromocytoma crisis. Clinical Case: 58 year-old female with history controlled hypertension on Lisinopril 10 mg daily, presented to hospital with two day history of fatigue, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. A CT chest and abdomen showed emphysema and an indeterminate right adrenal gland nodule. Due to patient symptoms and findings of emphysema patient was started on Prednisone 40 mg daily. Home Lisinopril was restarted and patient was placed on sodium restriction. Ten hours after the start of prednisone the patient developed sudden onset hypertension with BP >200/100 mmHg for which she was given labetalol intravenously. The patient developed orthostatic hypotension hours after with BP readings as low as 50s/40s. Due to labile BP a work-up for adrenal adenoma was started. Plasma and urine metanephrines and noremetanephrines returned 7–11 times and 4–15 times above upper limit of normal (ULN) respectively. Plasma and urine metanephrines were repeated when patient was off steroids and normotensive and still returned abnormally high (about 2–3 times ULN) along with elevated urine catecholamines (epinephrine 6.5 times ULN and with only a slight elevation in norephinephrine and normal dopamine levels). A dedicated adrenal scan showed a 2.2 cm right adrenal mass with homogeneous enhancement, 130 HU, with an absolute and relative washout of 65% and 44% respectively, not consistent with a benign adenoma. Patient was placed on a high salt diet along with fluids and doxasozin. Once appropriately alpha blocked, metoprolol was added prior to surgery. Clinical lessons: In the setting of labile BP, one should keep a high clinical suspicion for pheochromocytoma. Orthostatic hypotension here was related to epinephrine predominance pattern of secretion and volume depletion. Steroids should be avoided in patients with known pheochromocytoma or in those with an adrenal adenoma without a negative biochemical workup for a pheochromocytoma as it could precipitate an adrenergic crisis possibly by inducing catecholamine synthesis and release and sensitizing target organs to the effects of catecholamines. Reference: 1. Rosas AL, et al. Pheochromocytoma crisis induced by glucocorticoids: a report of four cases and review of the literature. European Journal of Endocrinology (2008) 158 423–429.

Effects of Age and Health on the Euthyroid Reference Ranges for Serum Free Thyroxine and Free Triiodothyronine

1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (02) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. M. Midgley ◽  
K. R. Gruner
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Free Thyroxine ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Free Triiodothyronine ◽  
Serum Free ◽  
Young Subjects ◽  
Age Range

SummaryAge-related trends in serum free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations were measured in 7248 euthyroid subjects (age-range 3 months to 106 years). 5700 were patients referred to hospitals for investigation of suspected thyroid dysfunction, but who were diagnosed euthyroid. 1548 were healthy blood donors (age-range 18-63 years) with no indication of thyroid dysfunction. FT4 concentrations were little affected by the age, the sex or the state of health of the subjects in either group. Serum FT3 concentrations were significantly affected by both age and health factors. The upper limit of the euthyroid reference range for young subjects up to 15 years was about 20% higher (10.4 pmol/1) than for adult subjects older than 25 years (8.8 pmol/1). The change in the upper limits typical of young subjects to that typical of adults occurred steadily over the decade 15–25 years. After this age, little further change occurred, especially in healthy subjects. Additionally, the lower limit of the euthyroid range for FT3 was extended by the inclusion in the reference group of patients referred to hospitals. Compared with the lower limit of the FT3 range for healthy subjects (5 pmol/1), the corresponding limit for referred subjects (young or adult) was 3.5–3.8 pmol/1. Broadening of the FT3 reference range was probably brought about by a significant number of patients in the hospital-referred group with the “1OW-T3 syndrome” of mild non-thyroidal illness. Accordingly, FT3 was inferior to FT4 in the discrimination of hypothyroidism, as FT4 was unaffected by this phenomenon. Effects of age and non-thyroidal illness on serum FT3 concentrations require great care when selecting subjects for a laboratory euthyroid reference range typical of the routine workload. Constraints on the choice of subjects for FT4 reference ranges are less stringent.

Computerized method for validating laboratory reference ranges for triiodothyronine and thyroxin immunoassays

1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Luttrell ◽  
Sall Watters
Keyword(s):  
Reference Range ◽  
Normal Values ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Normal Population ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Large Samples ◽  
Laboratory Reference ◽  
Euthyroid Status ◽  
Computer Based

Abstract We used a computer-based method to help validate the reference ranges of assays for triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4). A retrospective search of a database of laboratory results for the previous six months identified all patients with apparent euthyroid status, as defined by methods independent of the immunoassay under review. A computer-generated reference group (CGR Group) of 2001 records had a gaussian distribution of T4 values and a reference range (mean +/- 2 SD) of 56-161 nmol/L, compared with the supplier's suggested range for euthyroid subjects (58-148 nmol/L) and an in-house range of 60-144 nmol/L for a group of 97 normal subjects. A similar CGR Group of 1902 records gave a reference range for T3 of 0.7-2.1 nmol/L (manufacturer's range 0.8-2.8; normal subjects 0.8-2.2). An attempt to devise a reference range for thyrotropin failed when we found that its concentration in the population of patients with normal values for thyroid hormones was distributed differently from that in the normal population. The method is intended to be used in addition to conventionally derived ranges based on results for healthy subjects. It allows the laboratory to conveniently verify the reference ranges for T3 and T4 assays at regular intervals by using very large samples with appropriate age, sex, and weight distribution, drawn from the population of patients' samples submitted for analysis.

scholarly journals Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade requiring pericardial window in an otherwise healthy 30-year-old patient with COVID-19: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Walker ◽  
Vincent Peyko ◽  
Charles Farrell ◽  
Jeanine Awad-Spirtos ◽  
Matthew Adamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Cardiac Tamponade ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Healthy Woman ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Rare Presentation ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Acute Pericarditis ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background This case report demonstrates pericardial effusion, acute pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade in an otherwise healthy woman who had a positive test result for coronavirus disease 2019. Few case reports have been documented on patients with this presentation, and it is important to share novel presentations of the disease as they are discovered. Case presentation A Caucasian patient with coronavirus disease 2019 returned to the emergency department of our hospital 2 days after her initial visit with worsening chest pain and shortness of breath. Imaging revealed new pericardial effusion since the previous visit. The patient became hypotensive, was taken for pericardial window for cardiac tamponade with a drain placed, and was treated for acute pericarditis. Conclusion Much is still unknown about the implications of coronavirus disease 2019. With the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, research is still in process, and we are slowly learning about new signs and symptoms of the disease. This case report documents a lesser-known presentation of a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 and will help to further understanding of a rare presentation.

scholarly journals Plasma mineral (selenium, zinc or copper) concentrations in the general pregnant population, adjusted for supplement intake, in relation to thyroid function

2020 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
Victor Pop ◽  
Johannes Krabbe ◽  
Wolfgang Maret ◽  
Margaret Rayman
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Lower Plasma ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Supplement Intake

AbstractThe present study reports on first-trimester reference ranges of plasma mineral Se/Zn/Cu concentration in relation to free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), assessed at 12 weeks’ gestation in 2041 pregnant women, including 544 women not taking supplements containing Se/Zn/Cu. The reference range (2·5th–97·5th percentiles) in these 544 women was 0·72–1·25 µmol/l for Se, 17·15–35·98 µmol/l for Cu and 9·57–16·41 µmol/l for Zn. These women had significantly lower mean plasma Se concentration (0·94 (sd 0·12) µmol/l) than those (n 1479) taking Se/Zn/Cu supplements (1·03 (sd 0·14) µmol/l; P < 0·001), while the mean Cu (26·25 µmol/l) and Zn (12·55 µmol/l) concentrations were almost identical in these sub-groups. Women with hypothyroxinaemia (FT4 below reference range with normal TSH) had significantly lower plasma Zn concentrations than euthyroid women. After adjusting for covariates including supplement intake, plasma Se (negatively), Zn and Cu (positively) concentrations were significantly related to logFT4; Se and Cu (but not Zn) were positively and significantly related to logTSH. Women taking additional Se/Zn/Cu supplements were 1·46 (95 % CI 1·09, 2·04) times less likely to have elevated titres of TPO-Ab at 12 weeks of gestation. We conclude that first-trimester Se reference ranges are influenced by Se-supplement intake, while Cu and Zn ranges are not. Plasma mineral Se/Zn/Cu concentrations are associated with thyroid FT4 and TSH concentrations. Se/Zn/Cu supplement intake affects TPO-Ab status. Future research should focus on the impact of trace mineral status during gestation on thyroid function.

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