Back to Search
Start Over
Screening for phaeochromocytoma in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease: Is it necessary?
- Source :
-
The Malaysian journal of pathology [Malays J Pathol] 2020 Aug; Vol. 42 (2), pp. 203-207. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Introduction: Phaeochromocytoma may present with uncontrolled hypertension leading to haemorrhagic stroke (HS), ischaemic stroke (IS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). False elevation in the levels of CATS/ METS has been reported in acute cerebrovascular disease. Our aim was to analyse the frequency and pattern of elevations of CATS/METS in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease and to determine associated factors.<br />Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 112 samples of CATS/ METS received by the laboratory over a two-year period, from patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. CATS/METS were measured using LC/MS/MS method. Clinical details and CATS/METS level were obtained from the database. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. These statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).<br />Results: Of the 112 patients, 39% had HS, 54% had IS and 7% had TIA. A total of 29% of patients had elevated CATS/ METS. Elevated levels of CATS/METS were noted in 41% and 25% of HS and IS patients, respectively (p=0.53). Median norepinephrine, epinephrine and metanephrine levels in HS were significantly higher than IS (p< 0.05). Systolic blood pressure was higher in those who had elevated CATS/ METS (p=0.04). Only for two patients with elevated CATS/METS repeat testing was performed. Age, diastolic blood pressure and the time of sample collection in relation to the presentation, for CATS/METS were not significantly different between groups that had elevated levels of CATS/ METS versus those who did not.<br />Conclusion: We noted that CATS/METS were elevated in one-third of patients, especially in patients with high systolic blood pressure. Increase in CATS/METS should be appropriately followed up with repeat testing. Since false elevation in CATS/METS has been reported in cerebrovascular disease, screening for phaeochromocytoma is best deferred for a month.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0126-8635
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Malaysian journal of pathology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32860372