[Pheochromocytoma]

Abstract

We present a series of 11 patients with pheochromozytomas. We recommend screening for a catecholamine-producing tumor for every patient with hypertension. Screening and diagnosis are based on demonstration of an increased catecholamine production or -excretion. In our laboratory determination of urinary vanillin-mandelic-acid proved to be quite accurate. As 6 of our 11 pheochromozytomas were found extra-adrenally preoperative evaluation with regard to localization of these tumors appears as sound practice. According to our experience no single examination can be favoured. Therefore localization of these tumors is best accomplished by multiple diagnostic procedures. Morbidity and mortality depend directly upon preoperative recognition of a catecholamine-producing tumor and thus according management. We were able to gather data on 8 of 10 surviving patients 4--13 years postoperatively. Six of these are normotensive without any treatment.