Background: Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine producing tumors that classically present with the triad of sweating, palpitations and headache.
Case characteristics: 9-year-old boy whose only presenting complaints were polyuria and polydipsia for 2 years.
Observation: Routine measurement of blood pressure detected mild hypertension, and subsequent investigations revealed bilateral pheochromocytoma.
Outcome: Surgical removal of the tumors resulted in complete resolution of polyuria and polydipsia.
Message: The case highlights the importance of measuring BP for children as part of physical examination.