[Usefulness of the clonidine test for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma].
BACKGROUND
The clonidine test has been proposed as diagnostic biochemical test for patients with clinical suspicion of pheochromocytoma.


METHODS
The clonidine test was used in 80 patients with suspicion of pheochromocytoma (on account of suggestive clinical findings, increased levels of metanephrines, increased plasma or urinary levels of catecholamines, or suggestive images by ultrasonography or CT).


RESULTS
Surgery confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in 16 patients. The highest sensitivity (62%) and specificity (46%) of the clonidine test corresponded to a brake degree of 5%, with a predictive negative value of 83%. The test was most useful in patients with increased basal plasma values of catecholamines (sensitivity, 62%; specificity, 66%).


CONCLUSIONS
The clonidine test can be useful for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in patients with increased basal plasma levels of catecholamines and a brake degree lower than 5% at 180 minutes.
Mediavilla García
J D
JD
Unidad de Hipertensión Arterial y Lípidos, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada.
León-Ruiz
L
L
Hidalgo Tenorio
C
C
López de la Torre Casares
M
M
Piédrola Maroto
G
G
Pinel Julián
P
P
Fernández-Torres
C
C
Jiménez-Alonso
J
J
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D003000:Clonidine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002395:Catecholamines; D003000:Clonidine