Summary
Pheochromocytomata are characterized by the excessive production and excretion of catecholamines and catecholamine metabolites.
A method for the combined determination of vanillylmandelic acid and metanephrines in urine is presented. 80 to 90% of pheochromocytomata may be detected with either determination of vanillylmandelic acid or metanephrines. The combined determination allows detection of practically all pheochromocytomata, and does not require much more expenditure than either of the tests alone. It is suggested that this method be employed as an effective screening test, thereby improving the antemortem diagnosis of pheochromocytoma which presently lies at approximately 35%.
Alternatively, the catecholamine excretion in urine may be measured. 13 of 14 pheochromocytoma patients exhibited increased concentration of norepinephrine in 24 h urine samples. This study does not allow a definitive conclusion as to which method is more effective in diagnosing pheochromocytoma.
In plasma, the determination of catecholamines, using the technique of central venous blood sampling can be utilized in localizing small or poorly vascularized tumors when radiological techniques fail.
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Kirsten, R., Heintz, B., Deeg, P., Hennemann, H., Nelson, K. (1980). Pharmacological approach to the patient with pheochromocytoma. In: Rietbrock, N., Woodcock, B.G., Neuhaus, G. (eds) Methods in Clinical Pharmacology. Methods in clinical pharmacology, vol 1. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-14027-6_43
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-14027-6_43
Publisher Name: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden
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