INTERLEUKIN-6-PRODUCING PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA AS A NEW REASON FOR FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the fever of unknown origin (FUO) in patients with interleukin-6 (IL-6)-producing pheochromocytoma.

METHODS:

Patients with pheochromocytoma were enrolled from June 2014 to April 2017. Clinical characteristics were recorded including sex, age, 24-h urinary catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine), tumor size, axillary temperature (AT), white blood cells (WBC), and serum IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. IL-6 secretion by pheochromocytoma was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS:

We identified 29 cases of pheochromocytoma (7 with high AT and 22 with normal AT). Serum IL-6 and hsCRP levels were increased in the high AT group compared with the normal AT group (both P = .001). After pheochromocytoma resection, AT and IL-6 and hsCRP levels decreased significantly ( P<.001, P = .002 and P = .003, respectively). IHC revealed significantly higher IL-6 expression in the high AT group ( P = .002).

CONCLUSION:

IL-6-producing pheochromocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of FUO.

ABBREVIATIONS:

AT = axillary temperature; CT = computed tomography; FUO = fever of unknown origin; IHC = immunohistochemistry; IL-6 = interleukin-6; hsCRP = high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; WBC = white blood cells.

• Authors: Xiangming Cheng, Mingxin Zhang, Yu Xiao, Hanzhong Li, Yushi Zhang, Zhigang Ji
• Journal: Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (Endocr Pract) Vol. 24 Issue 6 Pg. 507-511 (Jun 2018) ISSN: 1530-891X [Print] United States
• PMID: 29624096 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• IL6 protein, human
• Interleukin-6
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Adult
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Fever of Unknown Origin (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pheochromocytoma (complications, metabolism)
• Retrospective Studies