Mass spectrometry reveals misdiagnosis of primary aldosteronism with scheduling for adrenalectomy due to immunoassay interference

Constantinescu, Georgiana; Bidlingmaier, Martin; Gruber, Matthias; Peitzsch, Mirko; Poitz, David M.; Herwaarden, Antonius E. van; Langton, Katharina; Kunath, Carola; Reincke, Martin; Deinum, Jaap; Lenders, Jacques W. M.; Hofmockel, Thomas; Bornstein, Stefan R. und Eisenhofer, Graeme (2020): Mass spectrometry reveals misdiagnosis of primary aldosteronism with scheduling for adrenalectomy due to immunoassay interference. In: Clinica Chimica Acta, Bd. 507: S. 98-103

Abstract

Background: Diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) involves a multistep process reliant on the accuracy of aldosterone measurements at each step. We report on immunoassay interference leading to a wrongful diagnosis and indication for surgical intervention. Case: A 38-year old hypertensive male with a 1.4 cm left adrenal mass was diagnosed with PA based on an elevated aldosterone:renin ratio and a positive saline infusion test. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) indicated left-sided aldosterone hypersecretion, supporting a decision to remove the left adrenal. The patient was also enrolled in a study to evaluate mass spectrometry-based steroid profiling, which indicated plasma aldosterone concentrations measured in five different peripheral samples averaging only 11% those of the immunoassay. Mass spectrometric measurements did not support left-sided adrenal aldosterone hypersecretion. Two independent laboratories confirmed differences in measurements by immunoassay and mass spectrometry. Lowered concentrations measured by the immunoassay that matched those by mass spectrometry were achieved after sample purification to remove macromolecules, confirming immunoassay interference. Conclusions: Although our patient may represent an isolated case of immunoassay interference leading to misdiagnosis of PA, unnecessary AVS and potentially wrongful removal of an adrenal, it is also possible that such inaccuracies may impact the diagnostic process and treatment for other patients.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 0009-8981
• Sprache: Englisch