title: False-positive pregnancy test associated with gonadoblastoma.
abstract: Gonadoblastomas are known to be hormonally active tumors that occur in streak or dysgenetic gonads of patients with intersex abnormalities. Several reports document their ability to produce beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), but none have documented an elevated peripheral serum beta-HCG. We report on the case of a patient with pure gonadal dysgenesis with XY karyotype who was found to have an elevated peripheral serum beta-HCG after a positive pregnancy test. Knowledge of gonadoblastoma's potential to elevate serum beta-HCG levels may prevent unnecessary searches for other causes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Schanne
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Canning
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006061:Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D018238:Gonadoblastoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011258:Pregnancy Tests
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human