[Estimation of clonidine test in differential diagnosis of pheochromocytoma from essential hypertension].
The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is relatively easy when excessive plasma catecholamines can be found. However, whenever plasma catecholamine levels are only moderately increased further evaluation should be performed. Clonidine, a centrally acting alpha adrenergic agouist, can be useful in the differentiation of pheochromocytoma from essential hypertension. Plasma catecholamine failure of suppression three hours after the oral administration of 0.3 mg of clonidine, is considered to be a sign of the presence of pheochromocytoma. In spite of unsatisfactory specificity and predictive value clonidine suppression test provides a helpful diagnostic means together with other biochemical procedures and imaging techniques for a more definitive diagnosis.
Nesović
M
M
Cirić
J
J
Zarković
M
M
Popović
V
V
Micić
D
D
Mićić
J
J
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D003000:Clonidine; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D002395:Catecholamines; D003000:Clonidine