title: Plasma and urinary 11-hydroxycorticosteroids in differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.
abstract: Morning plasma 11-hydroxycorticoids, urinary 11-hydroxycorticoids, and urinary 17-oxogenic steroids were measured before and during a dexamethasone suppression test. This consisted in the administration by mouth of 2 mg of dexamethasone daily for 48 hours, followed by 8 mg daily for 48 hours. In addition midnight plasma 11-hydroxycorticoids were measured before the start of the test. The subjects investigated were 21 patients with Cushing's syndrome, 27 obese female patients, 10 female patients with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, and 8 female patients with idiopathic hirsutism.The results showed that the clearest distinction between the groups was made by measurement of the basal urinary 11-hydroxycorticoid excretion, where, in the group of patients with Cushing's syndrome, all the levels were well above the upper limit of normal. In addition raised midnight plasma 11-hydroxycorticoid levels were of great diagnostic value. By using these results together with those of the dexamethasone suppression tests it was possible to make a firm preoperative diagnosis of pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome in 90% of patients in this series.
mesh_terms: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D000284:Administration, Oral; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000032:analysis*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006889:Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006889:Hydroxycorticosteroids; D003907:Dexamethasone