19-Iodocholesterol
Encyclopedia
19-Iodocholesterol is a derivative of cholesterol
with an iodine
atom in the 19-position. When the iodine atom is a radioactive isotope (iodine-125
or iodine-131
), it is used as an adrenal cortex radiocontrast agent for in the assessment of patients suspected of having Cushing's syndrome
, hyperaldosteronism
, pheochromocytoma
and adrenal remnants following total adrenalectomy
.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
with an iodine
Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is pronounced , , or . The name is from the , meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor....
atom in the 19-position. When the iodine atom is a radioactive isotope (iodine-125
Iodine-125
Iodine-125 is a radioisotope of iodine which has uses in biological assays, nuclear medicine imaging and in radiation therapy as brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer and brain tumors. It is the second longest-lived radioisotope of iodine, after iodine-129.Its half-life is around 59 days and it...
or iodine-131
Iodine-131
Iodine-131 , also called radioiodine , is an important radioisotope of iodine. It has a radioactive decay half-life of about eight days. Its uses are mostly medical and pharmaceutical...
), it is used as an adrenal cortex radiocontrast agent for in the assessment of patients suspected of having Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone or CRH...
, hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism, also aldosteronism, is a medical condition where too much aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands, which can lead to lowered levels of potassium in the blood.-Types:...
, pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma
A pheochromocytoma or phaeochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands , or extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue that failed to involute after birth and secretes excessive amounts of catecholamines, usually noradrenaline , and adrenaline to a lesser extent...
and adrenal remnants following total adrenalectomy
Adrenalectomy
Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands. It is usually advised for patients with tumors of the adrenal glands. The procedure can be performed using an open incision or laparoscopic technique....
.