Multiple venous sampling for catecholamine assay in the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma

J Endocrinol Invest. 1989 Oct;12(9):647-9. doi: 10.1007/BF03350026.

Abstract

Malignant pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of hypertension and still has a high mortality rate. The most accurate way to localize a malignant pheochromocytoma is by a combination of scans, both CT and scintigraphy. Selective sampling of venous blood from multiple sites for plasma catecholamine levels is a safe and reliable technique and may be used successfully in some patients. A case is presented where venous sampling proved to be useful in preoperatively localizing a malignant pheochromocytoma and its metastatic lesions which both CT and ultrasound had failed to demonstrate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / blood
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Epinephrine / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Norepinephrine / blood*
  • Pheochromocytoma / blood
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Pheochromocytoma / secondary
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography
  • Veins

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine