Methods of Paraclinic Diagnosis of Catecholamine Secreting Tumours, Especially of Pheochromocytoma

Abstract

Summary Catecholamine tumoral syndrome is caused by lesions of the medulosuprarenal cromafin tissue (pheochromocytoma or pheochromocytoblastoma) or of the neural crest (paraganglioma), from the ganglionar cells (ganglioneurinoma or ganglioneuroblastoma) or from the sympathetic nervous cells (sympathogonia – sympathoblastoma and sympathoblasts – neuroblastoma), tumors that excessively secrete cathecolamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), but also neuropeptides. Indications for testing are associated with the clinical context. Because the pheochromocytoma means a heterogeneous group of secretory tumours, there is no analysis achieving the 100% accuracy. The diagnosis can be established by hormonal dosages for basal determinations and by dynamic tests or through nonspecific tests. Imagistic explorations like computer tomography, abdominal and pelvic MRI can localise the tumour. Plasma and urinary metanephrines dosage are the first intention tests because have a higher accuracy compared to catecholamines or other metabolites. Considering the low prevalence of catecholamine secreting tumours, we considered it necessary to systematise diagnostic possibilities.