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Gabriel Spergel, MD; Leonard J. Levy, MD; Faizur R. Chowdhury, MD; Harvey M. Rodman, MD; Norman H. Ertel, MD; Sheldon J. Bleicher, MD

JAMA. 1970;211(2):266-269.

Abstract
The usefulness of phentolamine mesylate in testing for pheochromocytoma is limited by false-positive blood pressure responses in other hypertensive states not characterized by elevated catecholamine levels. Since phentolamine can release the suppression of insulin secretion caused by catecholamines, changes in plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured following phentolamine administration in an attempt to enhance this test's specificity. Three patients with proven pheochromocytoma and positive reactions had a mean fall in glucose value of 52 mg/100 ml and a mean rise in insulin level of 39 microunits/ml. Six patients with false-positive reactions had a mean fall in glucose content of 3 mg/100 ml and a mean rise in insulin value of 7 microunits/ml. Ten patients with negative reactions had similar changes. Thus, these measurements during a modified phentolamine test may identify the falsepositive reactions and strengthen this procedure.

Author Affiliations
From the Clinical Metabolic Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Jewish Hospital and Medical Center of Brooklyn, and the Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center (Drs. Spergel, Ertel, and Bleicher).

Footnotes
Read before the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, New York, June 29, 1969.

Reprint requests to 555 Prospect PI, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Dr. Spergel).

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