Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pheochromocytoma other diagnostic studies
Introduction
Other Diagnostic Studies
Other Diagnostic Studies
Other diagnostic studies for pheochromocytoma include:
- Clonidine suppression test, which demonstrates: [1]
- Lack of a response to clonidine (no reduction in catecholamine levels after test)
- Clonidine is a centrally-acting alpha-2 agonist which mimics catecholamines in the brain and reduces the activity of the sympathetic nerves controlling the adrenal medulla.
- Healthy adrenal medulla will respond to the clonidine suppression test by reducing catecholamine production.
References
References
- ↑ Goupil R, Fountoulakis S, Gordon RD, Stowasser M (2015). “Urinary clonidine suppression testing for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma”. J Hypertens. 33 (11): 2286–93. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000000705. PMID 26335433.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [2] Mohammed Abdelwahed M.D[3]