Endocrine Abstracts

Phaeochromocytomas (PCC) are rare tumours of chromaffin cells that are generally characterised by autonomous production of catecholamines. PCC vary considerably in the relative and total amounts of catecholamines produced and stored, in the overall rates of synthesis and in individual-to-individual differences in sensitivities to catecholamines. It is these differences that contribute to the diversity of signs and symptoms. Thus diagnosis depends on a high index of clinical su...

The use of 24 h urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations to detect carcinoid patients is a well established procedure while random urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid/creatinine ratio (5-HIAA/cr) may also offer a simpler approach in the diagnosis of carcinoid tumours. However, there is uncertainty regarding the ability of these tests to offer a prognostic indicator for patients.We retrospectively reviewed the initial paired urinary 5-HIAA/...

Although 24 h urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration is a well established test for the detection and monitoring of carcinoid tumours, compliance, adequacy of collection and the influence of dietary sources of serotonin are problems associated with this approach. Recently, a random urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid creatinine ratio (R/5-HIAA/cr) test has become available which can be used in outpatient departments, however its correlation to 24 h 5-HIAA (24/5...