Pheochromocytomas are rare, mostly benign catecholamine-producing tumors of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or of a paraganglion. Typical clinical manifestations are sustained or paroxysmal hypertension, severe headaches, palpitations and sweating resulting from hormone excess. However, their presentation is highly variable and can mimic many other diseases. If remaining unrecognized or...

M.G. is a 53-year-old woman with a history of episodic flushing, hypertension, and an incidentally discovered adrenal mass who presented with shortness of breath, weakness, and lightheadedness in the setting of hypertension to 300/200 mm Hg. Physical examination revealed an obese woman with a systolic ejection murmur and bibasilar crackles, but no neurological or ophthalmologic signs of hyperte...

CONTEXT Biogenic amines such as 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid (5HIAA) the main metabolite of serotonin or metanephrines (catecholamines metabolites) are used as biomarkers of neuroendocrine tumours. OBJECTIVE To re-evaluate the recommendations for urinary sampling (preservatives, diet, drugs, etc.) as many of the reported analytical interferences supporting these recommendations are related to...

The two index patients of the family analyzed in this study had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy for pheochromocytomas. This prompted genetic analyses of the probands and seven first-degree relatives. The two pheochromocytoma patients and two additional asymptomatic family members were found to harbor a mutation c496G>T in exon 3 of the VHL gene. The family was then lost to systematic follow-u...

Pheochromocytomas (pheo) cause the most dramatic, life-threatening crises in all of endocrinology. A proper screening for pheo must be performed in any patient who has: 1) episodic headaches, tachycardia, and diaphoresis; 2) family history of pheo or multiple endocrine neoplasia; 3) incidental suprarenal mass; 4) paroxysms of tachyarrhythmias or hypertension; 5) adverse cardiovascular responses...