Immunohistochemical Staining of Catecholamine-Synthesizing Enzymes in Head and Neck Paraganglioma Tissue

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Introduction: Head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) are non-producing neuroendocrine tumors, alhough 19-28% of patients have an increased dopamine production. The high sensitivity of 18F-DOPA PET also shows that these tumors might be able to synthesize catecholamines.

Aim(s): To demonstrate the presence of catecholamine synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH).

Materials and methods: HNPGL tissue (n=29) was immunohistochemically stained for TH, AADC and DBH. Information on gene mutations, lab results (metanephrine (MN), normetanephrine (NMN) and 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT)), and imaging were collected from the medical records. Catecholamine excess was defined as MN, NMN and/or 3-MT levels above the upper reference limit

Conference: 11th Annual ENETSConcerence (2014)

Presenting Author:

Authors: Van der Horst-Schrivers A, Osinga T, Korpershoek E, De Krijger R, Kerstens M,

Keywords: paraganglioma, dopamine,

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