[Pheochromocytoma: a review of our own cases]

Actas Urol Esp. 1996 Jan;20(1):43-9.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Presentation of 6 cases of pheochromocytoma, diagnosed and treated in our Unit over the last 5 years. Five were adrenal pheochromocytomas and 1 an abdominal paraganglioma in a 42 year-old woman. Distribution by gender was 4 male and 2 female, and mean age at presentation was 45.2 years ranging from 35 to 55 years. Clinically, all patients were hypertensive. Two of the 5 cases with adrenal location presented with catecholaminic crisis with BP > 240/140 mmHg. The paraganglioma was diagnosed while studying a case of sustained HBP in a 42 year-old female referred from another unit. With regard to diagnosis, the sensitivity of urinary tests was 100%, and gammagraphy with meta-iodine-benzyl-guanidine (MIBG) was particularly useful in the extra-adrenal location case. In all our patients, computerized tomography (CT) was the choice procedure to locate the tumour. Treatment was surgical in all cases, access being transperitoneal in 3 cases, thoracoabdominal in 2 and classic lumbotomy in 1. All our patients received prior treatment with alpha-blocking agents, and intraoperative complications were 1 arrythmic crisis, 1 hypotensive picture and 1 hypertensive crisis, all of which resolved successfully. Currently, 5 patients remain disease free. Mild HBP controlled with low dose captopril still persists in one patient.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Adrenalectomy
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / metabolism
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery
  • Preoperative Care
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography