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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
08:02
Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
A mixed endocrine adrenal tumour causing steatorrhoea.
P Thesleff1, C Benoni, H Mårtensson
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Lund, Sweden.
Gut
|October 1, 1987
Summary
A patient with an adrenal tumor experienced gastrointestinal and metabolic issues. Treatment and surgery resolved these symptoms, revealing the tumor
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal tumor, can cause diverse symptoms due to excess catecholamine secretion.
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction, including steatorrhea, is an uncommon manifestation of pheochromocytoma.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old male presented with steatorrhea, weight loss, diabetes mellitus, labile hypertension, and limb cramps.
- Elevated plasma catecholamines and an adrenal mass indicated pheochromocytoma.
Findings:
- Adrenoreceptor blockade improved symptoms, normalized fecal fat, and increased duodenal trypsin.
- Subsequent adrenalectomy rendered the patient asymptomatic with normalized blood glucose.
- Immunocytochemistry identified enkephalin, somatostatin, beta-endorphin, and dynorphin within tumor cells.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering pheochromocytoma in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal and metabolic disturbances.
- The tumor's peptide content may contribute to the complex clinical presentation.
- Successful management involves addressing both the catecholamine excess and the underlying adrenal neoplasm.
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