Subtyping of Patients with Primary Aldosteronism: An Update

Lenders, Jacques W. M.; Eisenhofer, Graeme und Reincke, Martin (2017): Subtyping of Patients with Primary Aldosteronism: An Update. In: Hormone and Metabolic Research, Bd. 49, Nr. 12: S. 922-928

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA) comprises two main subtypes: unilateral aldosteronism, mainly caused by aldosterone-producing adenoma;and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Establishing the correct subtype in patients with PA is indispensible for choice of treatment. In addition to established methods, alternative tests are evolving for subtyping. Computed tomography (CT) and adrenal venous sampling (AVS) are currently recommended in the guidelines for the diagnostic work-up of patients with PA. CT cannot be used as a stand-alone test for subtyping because of its limited accuracy but may be used in combination with other tests such as AVS or functional imaging. Nevertheless CT remains mandatory to exclude adrenocortical carcinoma. AVS provides the most accurate test to detect excessive secretion of aldosterone from an adrenal mass but has several practical limitations and disadvantages. Therefore, alternative non-invasive and patient-friendly methods are required to determine the need for adrenalectomy. Functional imaging with specific molecular positron emission tomographic ligands is a potential alternative method that may replace AVS for subclassifying patients with PA. The results of preliminary studies of C-11-metomidate are promising but ligands incorporating radionuclides with longer half-lives that selectively bind to CYP11B2 are needed. Steroid profiling provides another method for subtyping and selecting patients for adrenalectomy, but this technology is in its infancy and prospective outcome-based studies are required to determine if this technique may provide an alternative to AVS.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• EU Funded Grant Agreement Number: 694913
• EU-Projekte: Horizon 2020 > ERC Grants > ERC Advanced Grant > ERC Grant 694913: PAPA - Pathophysiology of Primary Aldosteronism
• Fakultät: Medizin > Klinikum der LMU München > Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV (Endokrinologie, Nephrologie, weitere Sektionen)
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 0018-5043
• Sprache: Englisch