Adrenal gland disorders.types ,diagnosis and treatment

Types of Adrenal gland disease and their diagnosis and treatment

1. Adrenal gland disorders Professor/Mohammed Ahmed Bamashmos Professor of internal medicine and endocrinology Faculty of Medicine, Sana’a University

2. Cushing syndrome

3. Pathophysiology

4. Types

5. Etiology Etiology In at least 90% of patients with Cushing’s disease, ACTH excess is caused by a corticotrope pituitary microadenoma , often only a few millimeters in diameter. Pituitary macroadenomas (i.e., tumors >1 cm in size) are found in only 5–10% of patients. Pituitary corticotrope adenomas usually occur sporadically but very rarely can be found in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) (Chap. 408). Ectopic ACTH production is predominantly caused by occult carcinoid tumors, most frequently in the lung, but also in thymus or pancreas. Because of their small size, these tumors are often difficult to locate. Advanced small-cell lung cancer can cause ectopic ACTH production. In rare cases, ectopic CRH and/or ACTH production has been found to originate from medullary thyroid carcinoma or pheochromocytoma , the latter co-secreting catecholamines and ACTH

6. majority of patients with ACTH-independent cortisol excess harbor a cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma; intratumor mutations, i.e., somatic mutations in the PKA catalytic subunit PRKACA, have been identified as cause of disease in 40% of these tumors. Adrenocortical carcinomas may also cause ACTH-independent disease and are often large, with excess production of several corticosteroid classes. A rare but notable cause of adrenal cortisol excess is macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with low circulating ACTH, but with evidence for autocrine stimulation of cortisol production via intraadrenal ACTH production. These hyperplastic nodules are often also characterized by ectopic expression of G protein–coupled receptors not usually found in the adrenal, including receptors for luteinizing hormone, vasopressin, serotonin, interleukin 1, catecholamines, or gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), the cause of food-dependent Cushing’s. Activation of these receptors results in upregulation of PKA signaling, as physiologically occurs with ACTH, with a subsequent increase in cortisol production. A combination of germline and somatic mutations in the tumor-suppressor gene ARMC5 have been identified as a prevalent cause of Cushing’s due to macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. Germline mutations in the PKA catalytic subunit PRKACA can represent a rare cause of macronodular adrenal hyperplasia associated with cortisol excess.

7. Mutations in one of the regulatory subunits of PKA, PRKAR1A, are found in patients with primary pigmented nodular adrenal disease (PPNAD) as part of Carney’s complex, an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia condition associated with cardiac myxomas, hyperlentiginosis, Sertoli cell tumors, and PPNAD. PPNAD can present as micronodular or macronodular hyperplasia, or both. Phosphodiesterases can influence intracellular cAMP and can thereby impact PKA activation. Mutations in PDE11A and PDE8B have been identified in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing’s, with and without evidence of PPNAD. Another rare cause of ACTH-independent Cushing’s is McCune-Albright syndrome, also associated with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, unilateral café-au-lait spots, and precocious puberty. McCune-Albright syndrome is caused by activating mutations in the stimulatory G protein alpha subunit 1, GNAS-1 (guanine nucleotide binding protein alpha stimulating activity polypeptide 1), and such mutations have also been found in bilateral macronodular hyperplasia without other McCune-Albright features and, in rare instances, also in isolated cortisol-producing adrenal adenomas

8. Clinical features Clinical Manifestations Glucocorticoids affect almost all cells of the body, and thus signs of cortisol excess impact multiple physiologic systems (Table 406-2), with upregulation of gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and protein catabolism causing the most prominent features. In addition, excess glucocorticoid secretion overcomes the ability of 11β-HSD2 to rapidly inactivate cortisol to cortisone in the kidney, thereby exerting mineralocorticoid actions, manifest as diastolic hypertension, hypokalemia, and edema. Excess glucocorticoids also interfere with central regulatory systems, leading to suppression of gonadotropins with subsequent hypogonadism and amenorrhea, and suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, resulting in decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion.

9. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms observed in Cushing’s syndrome are relatively nonspecific and include features such as obesity, diabetes, diastolic hypertension, hirsutism, and depression that are commonly found in patients who do not have Cushing’s. Therefore, careful clinical assessment is an important aspect of evaluating suspected cases. A diagnosis of Cushing’s should be considered when several clinical features are found in the same patient, in particular when more specific features are found. These include fragility of the skin, with easy bruising and broad (>1 cm), purplish striae (Fig. 406-9), and signs of proximal myopathy, which becomes most obvious when trying to stand up from a chair without the use of hands or when climbing stairs. Clinical manifestations of Cushing’s do not differ substantially among the different causes of Cushing’s. In ectopic ACTH syndrome, hyperpigmentation of the knuckles, scars, or skin areas exposed to increased friction can be observed (Fig. 406-9) and is caused by stimulatory effects of excess ACTH and other POMC cleavage products on melanocyte pigment production. Furthermore, patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome, and some with adrenocortical carcinoma as the cause of Cushing’s, may have a more brisk onset and rapid progression of clinical signs and symptoms.

10. Diagnosis A diagnosis of Cushing’s can be considered as established if the results of several tests are consistently suggestive of Cushing’s. These tests may include increased 24-h urinary free cortisol excretion in three separate collections, failure to appropriately suppress morning cortisol after overnight exposure to dexamethasone, and evidence of loss of diurnal cortisol secretion with high levels at midnight, the time of the physiologically lowest secretion (Fig. 406-10). Factors potentially affecting the outcome of these diagnostic tests have to be excluded such as incomplete 24-h urine collection or rapid inactivation of dexamethasone due to concurrent intake of CYP3A4-inducing drugs (e.g., antiepileptics, rifampicin). Concurrent intake of oral contraceptives that raise CBG and thus total cortisol can cause failure to suppress after dexamethasone. If in doubt, testing should be repeated after 4–6 weeks off estrogens. Patients with pseudo-Cushing states, i.e., alcohol-related, and those with cyclic Cushing’s may require further testing to safely confirm or exclude the diagnosis of Cushing’s. In addition, the biochemical assays employed can affect the test results, with specificity representing a common problem with antibody-based assays for the measurement of urinary free cortisol. These assays have been greatly improved by the introduction of highly specific tandem

11. Differential diagnosis Differential Diagnosis The evaluation of patients with confirmed Cushing’s should be carried out by an endocrinologist and begins with the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent cortisol excess (Fig. 406-10). Generally, plasma ACTH levels are suppressed in cases of autonomous adrenal cortisol excess, as a consequence of enhanced negative feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary. By contrast, patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s have normal or increased plasma ACTH, with very high levels being found in some patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome. Importantly, imaging should only be used after it is established whether the cortisol excess is ACTH-dependent or ACTH-independent, because nodules in the pituitary or the adrenal are a common finding in the general population. In patients with confirmed ACTH-independent excess, adrenal imaging is indicated (Fig. 406-11), preferably using an unenhanced computed tomography (CT) scan. This allows assessment of adrenal morphology and determination of precontrast tumor density in Hounsfield units (HU), which helps to distinguish between benign and malignant adrenal lesions.

12. Treatment Overt Cushing’s is associated with a poor prognosis if left untreated. In ACTH-independent disease, treatment consists of surgical removal of the adrenal tumor. For smaller tumors, a minimally invasive approach can be used, whereas for larger tumors and those suspected of malignancy, an open approach is preferred. In Cushing’s disease, the treatment of choice is selective removal of the pituitary corticotrope tumor, usually via an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. This results in an initial cure rate of 70–80% when performed by a highly experienced surgeon. However, even after initial remission following surgery, long-term follow-up is important because late relapse occurs in a significant number of patients. If pituitary disease recurs, there are several options, including second surgery, radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and bilateral adrenalectomy. These options need to be applied in a highly individualized fashion.

13. some patients with very severe, overt Cushing’s (e.g., difficult to control hypokalemic hypertension or acute psychosis), it may be necessary to introduce medical therapy to rapidly control the cortisol excess during the period leading up to surgery. Similarly, patients with metastasized, glucocorticoid-producing carcinomas may require long-term antiglucocorticoid drug treatment. In case of ectopic ACTH syndrome, in which the tumor cannot be located, one must carefully weigh whether drug treatment or bilateral adrenalectomy is the most appropriate choice, with the latter facilitating immediate cure but requiring life-long corticosteroid replacement. In this instance, it is paramount to ensure regular imaging follow-up for identification of the ectopic ACTH source. Oral agents with established efficacy in Cushing’s syndrome are metyrapone and ketoconazole. Metyrapone inhibits cortisol synthesis at the level of 11β-hydroxylase (Fig. 406-1), whereas the antimycotic drug ketoconazole inhibits the early steps of steroidogenesis. Typical starting doses are 500 mg tid for metyrapone (maximum dose, 6 g) and 200 mg tid for ketoconazole (maximum dose, 1200 mg). Mitotane, a derivative of the insecticide o,p’DDD, is an adrenolytic agent that is also effective for reducing cortisol. Because of its side effect profile, it is most commonly used in the context of adrenocortical carcinoma, but low-dose treatment (500–1000 mg/d) has also been used in benign Cushing’s. In severe cases of cortisol excess, etomidate can be used to lower cortisol. It is administered by continuous IV infusion in low, nonanesthetic doses.

14. Mineralocorticoid excess MINERALOCORTICOID EXCESS Epidemiology Following the first description of a patient with an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma (Conn’s syndrome), mineralocorticoid excess was thought to represent a rare cause of hypertension. However, in studies systematically screening all patients with hypertension, a much higher prevalence is now recognized, ranging from 5 to 12%. The prevalence is higher when patients are preselected for hypokalemic hypertension.

15. Types

16. Causes Etiology The most common cause of mineralocorticoid excess is primary aldosteronism, reflecting excess production of aldosterone by the adrenal zona glomerulosa. Bilateral micronodular hyperplasia is somewhat more common than unilateral adrenal adenomas (Table 406-3). Somatic mutations in channels and enzymes responsible for increasing sodium and calcium influx in adrenal zona glomerulosa cells have been identified as prevalent causes of aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas (Table 406-3) and, in the case of germline mutations, also of primary aldosteronism due to bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. However, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia as a cause of mineralocorticoid excess is usually micronodular but can also contain larger nodules that might be mistaken for a unilateral adenoma. In rare instances, primary aldosteronism is caused by an adrenocortical carcinoma. Carcinomas should be considered in younger patients and in those with larger tumors, because benign aldosterone-producing adenomas usually measure <2 cm in diameter.

17. A rare cause of aldosterone excess is glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA), which is caused by a chimeric gene resulting from cross-over of promoter sequences between the CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 genes that are involved in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis, respectively (Fig. 406-1). This rearrangement brings CYP11B2 transcription under the control of ACTH receptor signaling; consequently, aldosterone production is regulated by ACTH rather than by renin. The family history can be helpful because there may be evidence for dominant transmission of hypertension. Recognition of the disorder is important because it can be associated with early-onset hypertension and strokes. In addition, glucocorticoid suppression can reduce aldosterone production.

18. Other rare causes of mineralocorticoid excess are listed in Table 406-3. An important cause is excess binding and activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor by a steroid other than aldosterone. Cortisol acts as a potent mineralocorticoid if it escapes efficient inactivation to cortisone by 11β-HSD2 in the kidney (Fig. 406-7). This can be caused by inactivating mutations in the HSD11B2 gene resulting in the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (SAME) that characteristically manifests with severe hypokalemic hypertension in childhood. However, milder mutations may cause normokalemic hypertension manifesting in adulthood (type II SAME). Inhibition of 11β-HSD2 by excess licorice ingestion also results in hypokalemic hypertension, as does overwhelming of 11β-HSD2 conversion capacity by cortisol excess in Cushing’s syndrome. Deoxycorticosterone (DOC) also binds and activates the mineralocorticoid receptor and can cause hypertension if its circulating concentrations are increased. This can arise through autonomous DOC secretion by an adrenocortical carcinoma, but also when DOC accumulates as a consequence of an adrenal enzymatic block, as seen in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to CYP11B1 (11β-hydroxylase) or CYP17A1 (17α-hydroxylase) deficiency (Fig. 406-1). Progesterone can cause hypokalemic hypertension in rare individuals who harbor a mineralocorticoid receptor mutation that enhances binding and activation by progesterone; physiologically, progesterone normally exerts antimineralocorticoid activity. Finally, excess mineralocorticoid activity can be caused by mutations in the β or γ subunits of the ENaC, disrupting its interaction with Nedd4 (Fig. 406-7), and thereby decreasing receptor internalization and degradation. The constitutively active ENAC drives hypokalemic hypertension, resulting in an autosomal dominant disorder termed Liddle’s syndrome

19. Primary hyperaldosteronism

20. Clinical Manifestations Excess activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor leads to potassium depletion and increased sodium retention, with the latter causing an expansion of extracellular and plasma volume. Increased ENaC activity also results in hydrogen depletion that can cause metabolic alkalosis. Aldosterone also has direct effects on the vascular system, where it increases cardiac remodeling and decreases compliance. Aldosterone excess may cause direct damage to the myocardium and the kidney glomeruli, in addition to secondary damage due to systemic hypertension. The clinical hallmark of mineralocorticoid excess is hypokalemic hypertension; serum sodium tends to be normal due to the concurrent fluid retention, which in some cases can lead to peripheral edema. Hypokalemia can be exacerbated by thiazide drug treatment, which leads to increased delivery of sodium to the distal renal tubule, thereby driving potassium excretion. Severe hypokalemia can be associated with muscle weakness, overt proximal myopathy, or even hypokalemic paralysis. Severe alkalosis contributes to muscle cramps and, in severe cases, can cause tetany.

21. Diagnosis

22. Diagnosis Diagnostic screening for mineralocorticoid excess is not currently recommended for all patients with hypertension, but should be restricted to those who exhibit hypertension associated with drug resistance, hypokalemia, an adrenal mass, or onset of disease before the age of 40 years (Fig. 406-12). The accepted screening test is concurrent measurement of plasma renin and aldosterone with subsequent calculation of the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) (Fig. 406-12); serum potassium needs to be normalized prior to testing. Stopping antihypertensive medication can be cumbersome, particularly in patients with severe hypertension. Thus, for practical purposes, in the first instance the patient can remain on the usual antihypertensive medications, with the exception that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists need to be ceased at least 4 weeks prior to ARR measurement. The remaining antihypertensive drugs usually do not affect the outcome of ARR testing, except that beta blocker treatment can cause false-positive results and ACE/AT1R inhibitors can cause false-negative results

23. Treatment

24. Adrenal insufficiency ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY Epidemiology The prevalence of well-documented, permanent adrenal insufficiency is 5 in 10,000 in the general population. Hypothalamic-pituitary origin of disease is most frequent, with a prevalence of 3 in 10,000, whereas primary adrenal insufficiency has a prevalence of 2 in 10,000. Approximately one-half of the latter cases are acquired, mostly caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands; the other one-half are genetic, most commonly caused by distinct enzymatic blocks in adrenal steroidogenesis affecting glucocorticoid synthesis (i.e., congenital adrenal hyperplasia.) Adrenal insufficiency arising from suppression of the HPA axis as a consequence of exogenous glucocorticoid treatment is much more common, occurring in 0.5–2% of the population in developed countries.

25. Etiology Etiology Primary adrenal insufficiency is most commonly caused by autoimmune adrenalitis. Isolated autoimmune adrenalitis accounts for 30–40%, whereas 60–70% develop adrenal insufficiency as part of autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) (Chap. 408) (Table 406-7). APS1, also termed APECED (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy), is the underlying cause in 10% of patients affected by APS. APS1 is transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner and is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene AIRE. Associated autoimmune conditions overlap with those seen in APS2, but may also include total alopecia, primary hypoparathyroidism, and, in rare cases, lymphoma. APS1 patients invariably develop chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, usually manifest in childhood, and preceding adrenal insufficiency by years or decades. The much more prevalent APS2 is of polygenic inheritance, with confirmed associations with the HLA-DR3 gene region in the major histocompatibility complex and distinct gene regions involved in immune regulation (CTLA-4, PTPN22, CLEC16A). Coincident autoimmune disease most frequently includes thyroid autoimmune disease, vitiligo, and premature ovarian failure. Less commonly, additional features may include type 1 diabetes and pernicious anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.

26. X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy has an incidence of 1:20,000 males and is caused by mutations in the X-ALD gene encoding the peroxisomal membrane transporter protein ABCD1; its disruption results in accumulation of very long chain (>24 carbon atoms) fatty acids. Approximately 50% of cases manifest in early childhood with rapidly progressive white matter disease (cerebral ALD); 35% present during adolescence or in early adulthood with neurologic features indicative of myelin and peripheral nervous system involvement (adrenomyeloneuropathy [AMN]). In the remaining 15%, adrenal insufficiency is the sole manifestation of disease. Of note, distinct mutations manifest with variable penetrance and phenotypes within affected families. Rarer causes of adrenal insufficiency involve destruction of the adrenal glands as a consequence of infection, hemorrhage, or infiltration (Table 406-7); tuberculous adrenalitis is still a frequent cause of disease in developing countries. Adrenal metastases rarely cause adrenal insufficiency, and this occurs only with bilateral, bulky metastases.

27. Inborn causes of primary adrenal insufficiency other than congenital adrenal hyperplasia are rare, causing less than 1% of cases. However, their elucidation provides important insights into adrenal gland development and physiology. Mutations causing primary adrenal insufficiency (Table 406-7) include factors regulating adrenal development and steroidogenesis (DAX-1, SF-1), cholesterol synthesis, import and cleavage (DHCR7, StAR, CYP11A1), and elements of the adrenal ACTH response pathway (MC2R, MRAP) (Fig. 406-5), and factors involved in redox regulation (NNT) and DNA repair (MCM4, CDKN1C). Secondary adrenal insufficiency is the consequence of dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary component of the HPA axis (Table 406-8). Excluding iatrogenic suppression, the overwhelming majority of cases are caused by pituitary or hypothalamic tumors or their treatment by surgery or irradiation (Chap. 403). Rarer causes include pituitary apoplexy, either as a consequence of an infarcted pituitary adenoma or transient reduction in the blood supply of the pituitary during surgery or after rapid blood loss associated with parturition, also termed Sheehan’s syndrome. Isolated ACTH deficiency is rarely caused by autoimmune disease or pituitary infiltration (Table 406-8). Mutations in the ACTH precursor POMC or in factors regulating pituitary development are gen

28. Clinical features Clinical Manifestations In principle, the clinical features of primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) are characterized by the loss of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid secretion (Table 406-9). In secondary adrenal insufficiency, only glucocorticoid deficiency is present, as the adrenal itself is intact and thus still amenable to regulation by the RAA system. Adrenal androgen secretion is disrupted in both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency (Table 406-9). Hypothalamic-pituitary disease can lead to additional clinical manifestations due to involvement of other endocrine axes (thyroid, gonads, growth hormone, prolactin) or visual impairment with bitemporal hemianopia caused by chiasmal compression. It is important to recognize that iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency caused by exogenous glucocorticoid suppression of the HPA axis may result in all symptoms associated with glucocorticoid deficiency (Table 406-9), if exogenous glucocorticoids are stopped abruptly. However, patients will appear clinically cushingoid as a result of the preceding overexposure to glucocorticoids.

29. Acute adrenal insufficiency usually occurs after a prolonged period of nonspecific complaints and is more frequently observed in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency, due to the loss of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid secretion. Postural hypotension may progress to hypovolemic shock. Adrenal insufficiency may mimic features of acute abdomen with abdominal tenderness, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In some cases, the primary presentation may resemble neurologic disease, with decreased responsiveness, progressing to stupor and coma. An adrenal crisis can be triggered by an intercurrent illness, surgical or other stress, or increased glucocorticoid inactivation (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

30. Diagnosis Diagnosis The diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency is established by the short cosyntropin test, a safe and reliable tool with excellent predictive diagnostic value (Fig. 406-16). The cut-off for failure is usually defined at cortisol levels of <500–550 nmol/L (18–20 μg/dL) sampled 30–60 min after ACTH stimulation; the exact cut-off is dependent on the locally available assay. During the early phase of HPA disruption (e.g., within 4 weeks of pituitary insufficiency), patients may still respond to exogenous ACTH stimulation. In this circumstance, the ITT is an alternative choice but is more invasive and should be carried out only under a specialist’s supervision (see above). Induction of hypoglycemia is contraindicated in individuals with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, or history of seizures. Random serum cortisol measurements are of limited diagnostic value, because baseline cortisol levels may be coincidentally low due to the physiologic diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion (Fig. 406-3). Similarly, many patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency have relatively normal baseline cortisol levels but fail to mount an appropriate cortisol response to ACTH, which can only be revealed by stimulation testing. Importantly, tests to establish the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency should never delay treatment. Thus, in a patient with suspected adrenal crisis, it is reasonable to draw baseline cortisol levels, provide replacement therapy, and defer formal stimulation testing until a later time.

31. Management Management of the patient with suspected adrenal insufficiency. ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; CBC, complete blood count; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PRA, plasma renin activity; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone. Once adrenal insufficiency is confirmed, measurement of plasma ACTH is the next step, with increased or inappropriately low levels defining primary and secondary origin of disease, respectively (Fig. 406-16). In primary adrenal insufficiency, increased plasma renin will confirm the presence of mineralocorticoid deficiency. At initial presentation, patients with primary adrenal insufficiency should undergo screening for steroid autoantibodies as a marker of autoimmune adrenalitis. If these tests are negative, adrenal imaging by CT is indicated to investigate possible hemorrhage, infiltration, or masses. In male patients with negative autoantibodies in the plasma, very-long-chain fatty acids should be measured to exclude X-ALD. Patients with inappropriately low ACTH, in the presence of confirmed cortisol deficiency, should undergo hypothalamic-pituitary imaging by MRI. Features suggestive of preceding pituitary apoplexy, such as sudden-onset severe headache or history of previous head trauma, should be carefully explored, particularly in patients with no obvious MRI lesion.

32. Acute adrenal insufficiency requires immediate initiation of rehydration, usually carried out by saline infusion at initial rates of 1 L/h with continuous cardiac monitoring. Glucocorticoid replacement should be initiated by bolus injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone, followed by the administration of 100–200 mg hydrocortisone over 24 h, either by continuous infusion or by bolus IV or IM injections. Mineralocorticoid replacement can be initiated once the daily hydrocortisone dose has been reduced to <50 mg because at higher doses hydrocortisone provides sufficient stimulation of mineralocorticoid receptors.

33. Glucocorticoid replacement for the treatment of chronic adrenal insufficiency should be administered at a dose that replaces the physiologic daily cortisol production, which is usually achieved by the oral administration of 15–25 mg hydrocortisone in two to three divided doses. Pregnancy may require an increase in hydrocortisone dose by 50% during the last trimester. In all patients, at least one-half of the daily dose should be administered in the morning. Currently available glucocorticoid preparations fail to mimic the physiologic cortisol secretion rhythm (Fig. 406-3). Long-acting glucocorticoids such as prednisolone or dexamethasone are not preferred because they result in increased glucocorticoid exposure due to extended glucocorticoid receptor activation at times of physiologically low cortisol secretion. There are no well-established dose equivalencies, but as a guide, equipotency can be assumed for 1 mg hydrocortisone, 1.6 mg cortisone acetate, 0.2 mg prednisolone, 0.25 mg prednisone, and 0.025 mg dexamethasone.

34. Monitoring of glucocorticoid replacement is mainly based on the history and examination for signs and symptoms suggestive of glucocorticoid over- or underreplacement, including assessment of body weight and blood pressure. Plasma ACTH, 24-h urinary free cortisol, or serum cortisol day curves reflect whether hydrocortisone has been taken or not, but do not convey reliable information about replacement quality. In patients with isolated primary adrenal insufficiency, monitoring should include screening for autoimmune thyroid disease, and female patients should be made aware of the possibility of premature ovarian failure. Supraphysiologic glucocorticoid treatment with doses equivalent to 30 mg hydrocortisone or more will affect bone metabolism, and these patients should undergo regular bone mineral density evaluation. All patients with adrenal insufficiency need to be instructed about the requirement for stress-related glucocorticoid dose adjustments. These generally consist of doubling the routine oral glucocorticoid dose in the case of intercurrent illness with fever and bed rest and the need for IV hydrocortisone injection at a daily dose of 100 mg in cases of prolonged vomiting, surgery, or trauma. Patients living or traveling in regions with delayed access to acute health care should carry a hydrocortisone self-injection emergency kit, in addition to their usual steroid emergency cards and bracelets

35. Adrenal androgen replacement is an option in patients with lack of energy, despite optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement. It may also be indicated in women with features of androgen deficiency, including loss of libido. Adrenal androgen replacement can be achieved by once-daily administration of 25–50 mg DHEA. Treatment is monitored by measurement of DHEAS, androstenedione, testosterone, and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) 24 h after the last DHEA dose.

36. Congential adrenal hyperplasia CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA (See also Chap. 410) Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is caused by mutations in genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes involved in glucocorticoid synthesis (CYP21A2, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, CYP11B1) or in the cofactor enzyme P450 oxidoreductase that serves as an electron donor to CYP21A2 and CYP17A1 (Fig. 406-1). Invariably, patients affected by CAH exhibit glucocorticoid deficiency. Depending on the exact step of enzymatic block, they may also have excess production of mineralocorticoids or deficient production of sex steroids (Table 406-10). The diagnosis of CAH is readily established by measurement of the steroids accumulating before the distinct enzymatic block, either in serum or in urine, preferably by the use of mass spectrometry–based assays (Table 406-10).

37. Although CAH is rare, the most common form is caused by steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) and is an autosomal-recessive disorder of adrenal steroidogenesis that results from  CYP21A2  mutations. There are two forms of 21-OHD CAH: classic CAH, which is severe, and non-classic CAH, which is mild. Classic 21-OHD CAH is a life-threatening condition owing to deficiencies of cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline, which have essential roles in several homeostatic pathways, while compensatory mechanisms result in the overproduction of adrenal androgens 1 . Of note, classic CAH is included in neonatal screening programmes in the USA and over 50 other countries and regions 2 . Neonatal screening indicates that the classic form is a rare disease and occurs in 1 in 14,000 to 1 in 18,000 births worldwide 1 . Classic CAH is often subdivided into two forms on the basis of disease severity: salt-wasting CAH, associated with  CYP21A2  mutations that ablate enzyme activity, and simple virilizing CAH, associated with  CYP21A2  mutations that retain <5% of enzyme activity and some ability to make aldosterone. In the absence of early diagnosis and treatment (now possible with newborn baby screening programmes), infants with salt-wasting CAH experience a life-threatening adrenal crisis in the first 2 weeks of life and individuals with classic simple virilizing CAH present as toddlers with signs and symptoms of androgen excess such as pubic hair and growth acceleration 3 , 4 , 5 . The non-classic (mild) form is associated with  CYP21A2  mutations that retain 20–50% of enzyme activity. This form can be asymptomatic and is quite common, with an estimated prevalence in the USA of 1 individual with non-classic CAH per 200 individuals 6  and a carrier rate in several European countries of 4.0–7.5% 7 , 8 , 9 . Although a continuum of disease severity and phenotypic variations occurs with some  CYP21A2  variants, this Review focuses on the rare classic form.

38. earliest description of presumed classic 21-OHD CAH dates to 1865, when an Italian pathologist, Luigi De Crecchio, described the autopsy of a man with a 10-cm phallus, hypospadias, empty scrotum, vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and enlarged adrenals 10 . This individual died during a vomiting illness, potentially as the result of an adrenal crisis caused by a lack of cortisol. The first treatment of CAH did not occur until almost 100 years later, with the introduction of cortisone (a pregnane (21-carbon) steroid hormone that is converted to cortisol in the body) in the 1950s 11 , 12 . The introduction of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement therapy allowed patients with classic CAH to survive and have a long lifespan; however, treatment has failed to normalize the growth and development of many children and adults often experience treatment-related iatrogenic Cushing syndrome or disease-related hyperandrogenism. In the 1990s, studies began of alternative CAH therapies aimed at reducing daily glucocorticoid doses. For example, in children with CAH, adrenalectomy was investigated as well as peripheral blockade of androgen action and oestrogen production 13 , 14 . Alternative adrenal androgen pathways are now known that can produce excess androgens even when the classic androgen synthesis pathway seems well controlled 15 . Decades of advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of CAH have led to the development and investigation of several alternative treatments, including circadian cortisol replacement and various approaches to lower androgen production, which promise to enable reductions in glucocorticoid dosing for patients. This Review discusses the challenges of effectively managing patients with CAH and summarizes available and novel therapies in clinical trials or preclinical testing.

39. Pathophysiology Complex hormonal imbalances result from 21-OHD in the adrenal cortex (Fig.  1 ). Decreased cortisol production alters the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) feedback loop, with increased hypothalamic production of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pituitary production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Low intra-adrenal levels of cortisol during development result in adrenomedullary dysplasia and adrenaline deficiency 16 . The degree of adrenaline deficiency is associated with the  CYP21A2  genotype, with the largest impairment in enzyme function being associated with a salt-wasting phenotype 17 . Although the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is not directly under the influence of ACTH, volume depletion due to aldosterone insufficiency serves as an additional stimulus for ACTH production by indirectly stimulating vasopressin synthesis in the hypothalamus. Vasopressin, co-secreted with CRF, acts synergistically with CRF to augment ACTH release 18

40. congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, reduced circulating levels of cortisol increase the hypothalamic secretion of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pituitary production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and decrease adrenomedullary adrenaline secretion. Elevated ACTH drives adrenocortical hyperplasia and uninhibited synthesis of adrenal androgens. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system regulates blood pressure as well as fluid and electrolyte balance and is not directly under the influence of ACTH. However, volume depletion and salt loss from aldosterone insufficiency in CAH leads to an increase in circulating levels of angiotensin II, which in turn stimulates vasopressin secretion. Vasopressin acts synergistically with CRF to augment ACTH release. The dashed lines indicate processes that are blunted in CAH. Plus symbols indicate processes that are enhanced in CAH; processes with three plus symbols are greatly enhanced and those with one plus symbol are mildly enhanced. ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme.

41. ACTH signalling through the melanocortin type 2 receptor (MC2R) drives adrenocortical steroidogenesis and simultaneously acts as an adrenal trophic factor. Excess ACTH leads to adrenocortical hyperplasia as well as the uninhibited synthesis of adrenal androgens and androgen precursors, including the traditional biomarkers of CAH 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androstenedione 19 . This accumulation of androgen precursors and over-activity of the HPA axis leads to an intrinsic tendency of CAH-affected adrenal glands to overproduce androgens. Histological and biochemical profiles highlight zone-specific alterations in the adrenal cortex in CAH. For example, immunostaining of CAH-affected adrenal glands shows a strong presence of zona reticularis enzyme CYB5A compared with other zones 20 , 21  (Fig.  2 ).

42. Clinical features

43. Therapy Glucocorticoid therapy Clinical management aims to re-set the multiple hormonal imbalances in classic CAH by replacing deficient hormones (that is, cortisol and aldosterone) and controlling adrenal androgen overproduction. The mainstay of treatment is glucocorticoid replacement. Currently available glucocorticoid preparations fail to replicate the physiological cortisol circadian rhythm (Fig.  3 ); therefore, adequate androgen suppression often requires supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoid therapy. Unsurprisingly, inadequate hormonal control is common, and approximately one-third of patients in two large cohort studies of patients with classic CAH had normal serum levels of androstenedione, reflecting good hormonal control 22 , 23 . Several oral glucocorticoid formulations are available for use in the clinical management of CAH, including short-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting formulations 24 , 25  (Table  1 ; Fig.  4 ). Currently, no well-designed, head-to-head trials that compare glucocorticoid regimens have been conducted and practices vary internationally 26 , 27 .

44. physiological cortisol circadian rhythm has one peak in the morning at approximately 8.00 a.m. or upon awakening, with a gradual decline throughout the day 112 . By contrast, in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) receiving hydrocortisone three times daily (the glucocorticoid of choice in all children and select adults) results in three cortisol peaks approximately 90 minutes following each dose, followed by rapid declines to undetectable levels 108 . Similarly, patients with CAH receiving once-daily dexamethasone or twice-daily prednisone have non-physiological glucocorticoid profiles 48 . Failure to mimic the circadian cortisol profile contributes to management challenges and supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoid are typically needed to adequately suppress the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-mediated androgen excess of CAH. Data presented are from 24-hour serial sampling studies and reflect varied treatment practices. Data remain inconclusive regarding recommended dosing practices, including morning versus evening dose weighting. Data are expressed as geometric means. Data sources: healthy volunteers ( n  = 33, aged 17–57 years; dark blue line) 112 ; patients with classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH ( n  = 14, aged 17–55 years) on thrice-daily oral hydrocortisone tablet regimen (10 mg at 8.00 a.m., 5 mg at 3.00 p.m., 15 mg at 10.00 p.m.; yellow line) 108 ; patients with classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH ( n  = 13) on an individualized dose thrice-daily oral hydrocortisone tablet regimen (8.00 a.m., 3.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.; orange line) 25 ; patients with CAH receiving once-daily dexamethasone ( n  = 4, dose range: 0.25–0.5 mg, median dose time: 10.00 p.m.; light blue line) or twice-daily prednisone ( n  = 11, dose range: 2–7.5 mg (morning), 2–5 mg (night), median dose administration times 8.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m.; green line) 48 .

45. Hydrocortisone is the preferred glucocorticoid in children with CAH owing to its short half-life and the fact that it has the lowest growth suppressing effect of available glucocorticoids 24 , 28 . The lowest available dose in oral hydrocortisone tablets is 5 mg (USA) or 10 mg (for example, Europe or Canada). The recommended body surface area-based hydrocortisone dose for infants and children is 10–15 mg/m 2  per day, which is usually administered in three and sometimes four divided doses 1 , 24 . Paediatric dosing can be achieved by cutting whole tablets into sections but inconsistencies between doses are unavoidable. Of note, a hydrocortisone cypionate suspension (Pharmacia & UpJohn) was voluntarily recalled (July 2000) 29  and inaccuracies of compounded hydrocortisone preparations made by pharmacies to enable lower doses can lead to unanticipated adverse effects 30 . In contrast with licensed formulations, compounded preparations are exempt from Good Manufacturing Practice and are not subject to regulatory health agency approval 31 , 32 . A survey in Germany evaluated the ‘real-world’ state of using compounding pharmacies and found that nearly 25% of 56 compounded hydrocortisone capsule batches did not meet the European Pharmacopoeia criteria owing to insufficiencies in net mass and drug content, highlighting the need for paediatric preparations 33 . An immediate-release hydrocortisone sprinkle preparation, Infacort (brand name Alkindi, with four doses: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg), enables direct oral administration as dry granules or mixed with a small amount of soft food and received EMA approval for use in children with adrenal insufficiency in 2018, followed by FDA approval in 2020 (ref. 34 ). Results from the 2.5-year prospective extension study in children with adrenal insufficiency ( n  = 18, including 17 with CAH, aged 0–8 years) demonstrated good disease control with normal growth and no increased risk of adrenal crises 35 . However, the long-term use of Alkindi in the medical management of CAH has yet to be studied and challenges exist around its widespread use owing to cost. The glucocorticoid regimens used in adults with CAH vary. A prospective UK cross-sectional CAH adult study (CaHASE) from 17 centres ( n  = 203) 22  and a cross-sectional study from our USA centre ( n  = 244) 23  highlight the wide variation in clinical practice. Approximately one-third of adults receive hydrocortisone and the remaining receive long-acting glucocorticoids (prednisolone, prednisone, dexamethasone or a combination).

46. Mineralocorticoid therapy In patients with CAH, mineralocorticoid replacement is another important arm of treatment that corrects aldosterone deficiency. Patients with classic simple virilizing CAH have minimal aldosterone production but the levels are often insufficient to maintain normal intravascular volume 36 , 37 . A meta-analysis of adult height in classic CAH found that mineralocorticoid therapy during childhood was associated with a taller height outcome compared with those who did not receive mineralocorticoid therapy 38 . Achieving optimum sodium balance reduces ACTH and vasopressin, thus decreasing the dose requirements of glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Thus, mineralocorticoid therapy is recommended in all patients with classic CAH and the majority of non-hypertensive adults with classic CAH benefit from continued fludrocortisone treatment 24  (Table  1 ; Fig.  4 ). In CAH, desoxycorticosterone acetate was initially used in the 1950s as mineralocorticoid replacement with intramuscular injections or as desoxycorticosterone acetate subcutaneous pellets implanted every 6–12 months 39 . These parenteral approaches were eventually replaced with the only currently available synthetic mineralocorticoid, 9 α- fludrocortisone 1 . Mineralocorticoid dose titration is based on plasma renin activity or direct measurement of plasma concentrations of renin (aiming for the age-specific normal range) but might also include electrolyte monitoring and blood pressure measurements, supplemented by a review of any symptoms that are suggestive of salt loss (for example, salt craving, postural hypotension and, in infants, poor weight gain and failure to thrive) 40 . A twice-daily regimen seems to be more effective than once-daily administration (D.P.M., unpublished work); thus, we propose that splitting the daily dose is the equivalent of a dose increase.Given the physiological resistance to aldosterone in the kidneys of newborn babies, mineralocorticoid requirements are generally higher in early infancy than in older patients. Sodium supplementation of 1–2 g per day (4  mEq /kg per day) distributed in breast milk or formula throughout the day is commonly used 24 . In infants receiving high fludrocortisone doses, sodium supplementation might not be needed but high fludrocortisone risks hypertension 41 , 42 . In the first year of life, the maturing kidneys become increasingly sensitive to mineralocorticoid, increasing sodium retention and the risk of hypertension. In a large cohort of patients with CAH ( n  = 716, aged 3–18 years) in Germany, the prevalence of hypertension was 12.5% and it was more commonly observed in younger children (aged <18 months) than in adolescents (18.5% versus 4.9%). Fludrocortisone dose was a risk factor for hypertension in children aged <8 years 43 . Furthermore, this finding was confirmed in a 2021 report from our longitudinal CAH cohort that evaluated cardiovascular risk factors. Compared with the general population in the USA, higher rates of hypertension were found in both children (commonly aged <2 years) and adults with classic CAH, and high mineralocorticoid doses were associated with hypertension in children 44 . Close monitoring and judicious use of mineralocorticoids are recommended. All glucocorticoids (except dexamethasone) have mineralocorticoid activit

47. Treatment challenge Biochemical monitoring Standard biomarkers used in biochemical monitoring include adrenal androgen precursors (17-OHP and androstenedione), plasma renin activity, or plasma concentrations of renin and sometimes testosterone. All synthetic glucocorticoids have a narrow therapeutic index, and regimens or doses targeted to normalize or suppress 17-OHP in CAH can lead to over-replacement and associated metabolic comorbidities such as obesity and insulin resistance 24 . Hence, target levels of 17-OHP are above the normal range (for example, <1,200 ng/dl or <36 nmol/l) 22 , 23 . Traditional biomarkers (17-OHP and androstenedione) are subject to considerable variability, acutely increase with stress and decrease following a dose of glucocorticoids, and are not synthesized exclusively by the adrenals. Additionally, the timing, dose and type of glucocorticoid drug influence biochemical results. Serial sampling data over 24 hours of 17-OHP and androstenedione in adults with classic CAH ( n  = 16) highlighted the intact circadian rhythms of these traditional adrenal biomarkers and demonstrated the influence of these rhythms by the timing and type of glucocorticoid regimen 48 . In CAH, levels of dehydroepiandrosterone are typically low and the elevated levels of 17-OHP and androstenedione are diverted to an alternative 11-oxygenated pathway of androgen production (Fig.  2 ). These under-recognized 11-oxygenated adrenal metabolites are bioactive, dominant steroids in CAH 15 , 20 , 49 , 50 . Serum levels of 11-oxygenated androgens are higher in patients with 21-OHD CAH on replacement therapy when compared with age-matched and sex-matched control individuals 20 . In these patients, these increased levels derive primarily from the adrenals and high levels correlate well with poor long-term disease control and disease-specific comorbidities (for example, increased adrenal volume, testicular tumours of adrenal-like tissue termed testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART), menstrual irregularity or hirsutism) 51 . A retrospective analysis of >2,700 laboratory assessments in patients with CAH showed that 17% of samples had discrepant 17-OHP and androstenedione, and that elevated 11-oxygenated androgens could be used to identify those with poor disease control when traditional biomarkers are inconclusive 52 .

48. Adrenal crisis Low dose glucocorticoid therapy is associated with increased episodes of illness 57  and adrenal crises 58 , and premature mortality in CAH might be primarily due to adrenal crisis. Adrenal crisis is estimated to be responsible for up to 42% of excess deaths in patients with CAH and patients with the salt-wasting form are especially at risk 59 . In a retrospective matched-cohort study in the UK, all-cause mortality was higher in patients with CAH compared with control individuals 60 . In a Swedish population-based study, adrenal crisis was reported as the leading cause of death in 588 patients with CAH 59 . The incidence of adrenal crisis in patients with adrenal insufficiency is estimated to be 5–10 adrenal crises per 100 patient-years, with mortality estimated to be 0.5 deaths per 100 patient-years 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , mostly based on studies of adults. Although studies of children report similar findings 62 , 66 , a large international registry study (34 centres,  n  = 518 patients, 2,300 patient-years) reported 2.7 adrenal crises per 100 patient-years in children with CAH, with the majority of illness episodes managed at home 57 . Life-threatening adrenal crisis occurs when there is insufficient cortisol to maintain homeostasis 67 . Aldosterone deficiency exacerbates adrenal crisis through sodium and water loss and potassium retention, and adrenomedullary dysfunction (adrenaline deficiency) contributes to the risk of cardiovascular instability and hypoglycaemia 58 , 68 . Life-threatening hypoglycaemia can be associated with seizures and can rarely result in permanent neurological sequelae in children with adrenal crises 58 , 69 , 70 . Having low blood levels of adrenaline in CAH is a risk factor for needing emergency care in children and is associated with increased illnesses in infants and adults 58 , 68 .

49. Cardiometabolic morbidity Patients with CAH have increased cardiometabolic morbidity 22 , 81 . A meta-analysis of 20 studies of CAH found an increased risk of insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and carotid intima thickness, although the quality of evidence was low 82 . A Swedish population-based study of 588 patients with CAH found an increased prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnoea, hypertension, elevated lipids, atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism compared with control individuals 83 . Another population-based study ( n  = 272 patients with CAH, 200 control individuals) by the same group reported an increased prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in women with classic CAH 84 . A longitudinal study in the USA of 58 patients with classic CAH followed for a median of 18.6 years with 1,962 visits spanning childhood and adulthood found that metabolic morbidity started before puberty, which was associated with both mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid treatments 44 . The presence of obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome adds another tier of challenge as these chronic comorbidities influence glucocorticoid pharmacokinetics and hence hormonal management in CAH 85 . For example, glucocorticoid dose requirements increase with an increase in body weight 86 . Furthermore, the presence of hepatic steatosis might increase cortisol clearance 87 . Decreased insulin sensitivity, independent of body adipose mass and hepatic steatosis, also alters cortisol kinetics, resulting in increased cortisol clearance 87 , 88 . Alterations in cortisol–cortisone kinetics in the liver and adipose tissue contribute to increased cortisol clearance and increased glucocorticoid doses required for disease control, leading to a bidirectional maladapted loop 87 . Weight loss wi

50. Pheochromocytoma Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are catecholamine-producing tumors derived from the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system. These tumors may arise sporadically or be inherited as features of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, von Hippel–Lindau disease, or several other pheochromocytoma-associated syndromes. The diagnosis of pheochromocytomas identifies a potentially correctable cause of hypertension, and their removal can prevent hypertensive crises that can be lethal. The clinical presentation is variable, ranging from an adrenal incidentaloma to a hypertensive crisis with associated cerebrovascular or cardiac complications. EPIDEMIOLOGY Pheochromocytoma is estimated to occur in 2–8 of 1 million persons per year, and ∼0.1% of hypertensive patients harbor a pheochromocytoma. The mean age at diagnosis is ∼40 years, although the tumors can occur from early childhood until late in life. The classic “rule of tens” for pheochromocytomas states that ∼10% are bilateral, 10% are extra-adrenal, and 10% are malignant.

51. Etiology ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are well-vascularized tumors that arise from cells derived from the sympathetic (e.g., adrenal medulla) or parasympathetic (e.g., carotid body, glomus vagale) paraganglia (Fig. 407-1). The name pheochromocytoma reflects the black-colored staining caused by chromaffin oxidation of catecholamines; although a variety of terms have been used to describe these tumors, most clinicians use this designation to describe symptomatic catecholamine-producing tumors, including those in extra-adrenal retroperitoneal, pelvic, and thoracic sites. The term paraganglioma is used to describe catecholamine-producing tumors in the skull base and neck; these tumors may secrete little or no catecholamine. In contrast to common clinical parlance, the World Health Organization (WHO) restricts the term pheochromocytoma to adrenal tumors and applies the term paraganglioma to tumors at all other sites.

52. Clinical features CLINICAL FEATURES Its clinical presentation is so variable that pheochromocytoma has been termed “the great masquerader” (Table 407-1). Among the presenting manifestations, episodes of palpitation, headache, and profuse sweating are typical, and these manifestations constitute a classic triad. The presence of all three manifestations in association with hypertension makes pheochromocytoma a likely diagnosis. However, a pheochromocytoma can be asymptomatic for years, and some tumors grow to a considerable size before patients note symptoms.

53. dominant sign is hypertension. Classically, patients have episodic hypertension, but sustained hypertension is also common. Catecholamine crises can lead to heart failure, pulmonary edema, arrhythmias, and intracranial hemorrhage. During episodes of hormone release, which can occur at widely divergent intervals, patients are anxious and pale, and they experience tachycardia and palpitations. These paroxysms generally last <1 h and may be precipitated by surgery, positional changes, exercise, pregnancy, urination (particularly with bladder pheochromocytomas), and various medications (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, opiates, metoclopramide).

54. Diagnosis DIAGNOSIS The diagnosis is based on documentation of catecholamine excess by biochemical testing and localization of the tumor by imaging. These two criteria are of equal importance, although measurement of catecholamines or metanephrines (their methylated metabolites) is traditionally the first step in diagnosis. Biochemical testing Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas synthesize and store catecholamines, which include norepinephrine (noradrenaline), epinephrine (adrenaline), and dopamine. Elevated plasma and urinary levels of catecholamines and metanephrines form the cornerstone of diagnosis. The characteristic fluctuations in the hormonal activity of tumors results in considerable variation in serial catecholamine measurements. However, most tumors continuously leak O-methylated metabolites, which are detected by measurement of metanephrines.

55. Medical treatment