Pheochromocytoma: Experiences in the diagnosis and treatment ∗

Abstract

Since pheochromocytoma produces hypertension often curable by surgery, and since it is known that the incidence of this tumor is higher than earlier believed, the importance of diagnosis has increased. The pharmacological diagnostic tests which have been useful in some cases, but unreliable in others, are not without hazards. For this reason we have tested every patient suspected of having pheochromocytoma during the past few years for urinary output of catecholamine. In the seven cases of hypertension exhibiting colorful clinical patterns and described in this paper, the diagnosis could be established on the basis of a careful analysis of the clinical picture, painstaking observation of the patient and evidence obtained from pharmacologic tests. Most important, the diagnosis could be established on the basis of the estimation of catecholamines in the urine. It would appear worthwhile to make further trials with Hydergine which can be administered evidently with safety to combat temporarily spontaneous paroxysmal attacks or an attack produced by pharmacological diagnostic agents or provoked by the manipulation of the tumor during the course of surgical intervention.