Falhammar H, et al. - The researchers aimed to investigate the initial clinical presentation and spectrum of pheochromocytoma. Since early identification could be life-saving, clinicians ought to be aware of the modern presentation of pheochromocytomas.

Methods

• A total of 94 consecutive cases of pheochromocytomas were reviewed in this study.
• The researchers subsequently excluded 2 cases of ectopic ACTH-syndrome.

Results

• Sixty-four percent presented as an incidentaloma, 32% as a suspected pheochromocytoma and 4% were screened because of previously diagnosed MEN2A, among the 92 cases.
• Those screened were youngest whereas those with incidentalomas were oldest.
• The incidentaloma and the screening groups commonly consisted of females.
• Males were commonly found in the suspected pheochromocytoma group.
• In the suspected pheocromocytoma group, highest measurements of noradrenaline/normetanephrine levels were found and lowest measurements were detected in the screening group.
• The researchers observed hypertension in 63% of the incidentalomas, 79% of suspected pheochromocytomas and none among the screening group.
• They noticed paroxysmal symptoms in nearly all with suspected pheochromocytoma while only in half of the other groups.
• Most symptoms were reported in the suspected pheocromocytoma group while the screening group had least symptoms.
• The occurrence of classic triad was observed in 14% of the incidentalomas, in 28% of the suspected and in none of the screening group.
• No symptoms were noted in 12%, 0% and 25% of the patients, respectively.
• They found pheochromocytoma crisis in 5%.
• A positive correlation was seen between tumor size vs hormone levels, and catecholamine levels vs blood pressure.