1. Dr. M. SOFI MD; FRCP (London); FRCPEdin; FRCSEdin
PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA
Dr. M. SOFI MD; FRCP (London); FRCPEdin; FRCSEdin

2. PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA
Catecholamine-secreting tumors that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla are referred to as “pheochromocytomas” and from sympathetic ganglias “catecholamine-secreting paragangliomas” (“extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas”), respectively.
Because the tumors have similar clinical presentations and are treated with similar approaches, many clinicians use the term “pheochromocytoma” to refer to both adrenal pheochromocytomas and catecholamine-secreting paragangliomas.
However, the distinction between pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma is an important one because of implications for associated neoplasms, risk for malignancy, and genetic testing.

3. A pheochromocytoma is a rare, catecholamine-secreting tumor that may precipitate life-threatening hypertension.
The tumor is malignant in 10% of cases but may be cured completely by surgical removal.
Pheochromocytoma has classically been associated with 3 syndromes—
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)

4. Typical distribution of hemangioblastomas in von Hippel–Lindau disease.
Neurofibromatosis

5. Signs and symptoms
Pheochromocytoma
manifests as spells with
the following 4
characteristics:
Headaches
Palpitations
Diaphoresis
Severe hypertension
Typical patterns of the spells are as follows:
Frequency may vary from monthly to several times per day
Duration may vary from seconds to hours
Over time, spells tend to occur more frequently and become more severe as the tumor grows

6. The following may also occur during spells: Tremor Nausea Weakness
Signs and symptoms
The following may also occur during spells:
Tremor
Nausea
Weakness
Anxiety, sense of doom
Epigastric pain
Flank pain
Constipation

7. Clinical signs associated with pheochromocytomas include the following:
Hypertension: Paroxysmal in 50%
Postural hypotension:
From volume contraction
Hypertensive retinopathy
Weight loss
Pallor
Fever
Tremor
Neurofibromas
Tachyarrhythmias
Pulmonary edema
Cardiomyopathy
Ileus
Café au lait spots

8. Indications for testing — suspected in patients who have one or more of the following
The classic triad of headache, sweating, and tachycardia, whether or not they have hypertension.
Hyperadrenergic spells (e.g., self-limited episodes of non-exertional palpitations, diaphoresis, headache, tremor, or pallor).
However, most patients with spells do not have pheochromocytoma!
Onset of hypertension at a young age (e.g., <20 years), resistant hypertension, or hypertension with new onset or atypical diabetes mellitus.

9. Indications for testing — suspected in patients who have one or more of the following:
A familial syndrome that predisposes to catecholamine-secreting tumors:
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 [MEN2],
Neurofibromatosis type 1 [NF1]
Von Hippel-Lindau [VHL]).
A family history of pheochromocytoma.
Adrenal incidentaloma with or without hypertension.
Pressor response during anesthesia, surgery, or angiography.
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
A history of gastric stromal tumor, pulmonary chondromas and extra- adrenal paraganglioma (Carney triad).

10. Low risk pheochromocytoma Resistant hypertension
Hyperadrenergic spells (e.g., self-limited episodes of non-exertional palpitations, diaphoresis, headache, tremor, or pallor)
An incidentally discovered adrenal mass that does not have imaging features consistent with pheochromocytoma
24-hour urine fractionated metanephrines and catecholamines
High risk index of suspicion for a catecholamine-secreting tumor includes following scenarios:
A family history of pheochromocytoma
A genetic syndrome that predisposes to pheochromocytoma (MEN2)
A past history of resected pheochromocytoma
An incidentally discovered adrenal mass
Measuring plasma fractionated metanephrines is a first-line test

11. Diagnostic tests for pheochromocytoma include the following:
Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests for pheochromocytoma include the following:
Plasma metanephrine testing: 96% sensitivity, 85% specificity
24-hour urinary collection for catecholamines and metanephrines: 87.5% sensitivity, 99.7% specificity
Test selection criteria include the following:
Use plasma metanephrine testing in patients at high risk (i.e., those with predisposing genetic syndromes or a family or personal history of pheochromocytoma)
Use 24-hour urinary collection for catecholamines and metanephrines in patients at lower risk

12. Diagnosis
Imaging studies should be performed only after biochemical studies have confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Studies are as follows:
Abdominal CT scanning: Has accuracy of 85-95% for detecting adrenal masses with a spatial resolution of 1 cm or greater
MRI: Preferred over CT scanning in children and pregnant or lactating women; has reported sensitivity of up to 100% in detecting adrenal pheochromocytomas
Scintigraphy: Reserved for biochemically confirmed cases in which CT scanning or MRI does not show a tumor
PET scanning: A promising technique for detection and localization of pheochromocytomas

13. Imaging features of pheochromcytoma
Contrast enhanced CT pheochromocytoma
MRI pheochromocytoma

14. Diagnosis
Additional studies to rule out a familial syndrome in patients with confirmed pheochromocytoma include the following:
Parathyroid hormone level and a simultaneous serum calcium level to rule out primary hyperparathyroidism (which occurs in MEN 2A)
Screening for mutations in the ret proto-oncogene (which give rise to MEN 2A and 2B)
Genetic testing for mutations causing the MEN 2A and 2B syndromes
Consultation with an ophthalmologist to rule out retinal angiomas (VHL disease)

15. Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self Hyperthyroidism Hypoglycemia
Differential Diagnoses
Angina Pectoris
Anxiety Disorders
Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoglycemia
Insulinoma
Intestinal Carcinoid Tumor
Menopause
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Systemic Mastocytosis

16. Management
Surgical resection of the tumor is the treatment of choice and usually cures the hypertension. Careful preoperative treatment with alpha and beta blockers is required to control blood pressure and prevent intraoperative hypertensive crises.
Preoperative medical stabilization includes:
Alpha blockade with phenoxybenzamine 7-10 days pre-op
Volume expansion with isotonic sodium chloride solution
Encourage liberal salt intake
Beta blocker only after adequate alpha blockade, to avoid
precipitating a hypertensive crisis from unopposed alpha
stimulation
Administer the last doses of oral alpha and beta blockers on
the morning of surgery

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