RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Dopamine Excess in Patients with Head and Neck Paragangliomas JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 5153 OP 5158 VO 30 IS 12 A1 ANOUK N.A. VAN DER HORST-SCHRIVERS A1 THAMARA E. OSINGA A1 IDO P. KEMA A1 BERNARD F.A.M. VAN DER LAAN A1 ROBIN P.F. DULLAART YR 2010 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/30/12/5153.abstract AB Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of excess dopamine in relation to clinical symptoms and nuclear imaging in head and neck paraganglioma (PGL) patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients with head and neck PGLs, evaluated between 1993 and 2009, were included. Clinical symptoms, dopamine excess (urinary 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) or dopamine and/or plasma dopamine or 3-MT) and (nor)epinephrine excess (urinary (nor)metanephrine) as well as 111In-octreotide and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanide (MIBG) scintigraphy were documented. Results: Dopamine excess was found in seven patients (19.4%), but was unrelated to clinical signs and symptoms. Excretion of other catecholamines was unremarkable, except in one patient with adrenal pheochromocytoma. 123I-MIBG uptake (present in 36.1% of patients) was associated with dopamine excess (p=0.03). Conclusion: Dopamine excess is present in a considerable percentage of patients with head and neck PGL, and its measurement may be useful in follow-up. Measurement of other catecholamines is necessary to rule out co-existent pheochromocytoma.