title: [Diagnostic significance of the clonidine suppression test in suspected pheochromocytoma].
abstract: A clonidine suppression test and the measurement of the catecholamine (noradrenaline and adrenaline) concentration in 24-hour urine were undertaken on 13 patients with benign phaeochromocytoma (PCC), 30 patients with benign hypertension (BHT) and ten healthy, normotensive volunteers. In 11 patients with PCC (85%) the clonidine suppression test gave true-positive results (no significant suppression of initially raised plasma-catecholamine concentration after oral intake of 300 micrograms clonidine). Continuous fall in plasma-catecholamine level after clonidine occurred in two patients with PCC and only moderately elevated initial levels (false-negative results, 15%), as well as in all patients with BHT and all normal controls (true-positive, 100% each). A false-negative result for catecholamine concentration in 24-hour urine was obtained in only one patient (8%). In all others there were either true-positive results (urine concentration greater than 200 micrograms/24 h in 12 patients with PCC, 92%) or true-negative results (urine concentration less than 150 micrograms/24 h in all patients with BHT, 100% each). Compared with direct catecholamine measurement in 24-hour urine, the clonidine suppression test did not fulfil the criteria for further investigations in those patients who had moderately raised plasma-catecholamine levels.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitätsklinik II, Köln-Merheim.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stimpel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schürmeyer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ivens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wambach
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Volkmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von zur Mühlen
mesh_terms: D000304:Adrenal Cortex Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010912:Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003000:Clonidine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
vernacular_title: Diagnostische Bedeutung des Clonidin-Hemmtests bei Phäochromozytom-Verdacht.