Diagnosis of endocrinally active ovarian tumors.
The preoperative localization of small occult ovarian or adrenal androgen-secreting tumors is difficult. Selective sampling of glandular effluent by retrograde venous catheterization constitutes a reliable combined radiographic-endocrine approach. Steroid gradients between peripheral and organ vein levels are suspicious of a tumor especially when the testosterone gradient is elevated, e.g. more than 2.7 ng/ml between ovarian and peripheral venous blood. Therefore, selective catheterization is currently the most sensitive method for detection of androgen-secreting tumors smaller than 1 cm in diameter.
Moltz
L
L
Private Gynecologic Endocrinology, Sterility Office and Family Planning, Berlin, Germany.
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000098:blood supply; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000728:Androgens