Pheochromocytoma - An Analysis Of 123 Patients

[~MaryO~]

http://www.mdlinx.com/readArticle.cfm?art_id=1841828

 

Pheochromocytoma - An Analysis Of 123 Patients

 

Authors: Selvan, C. K.; Nair, A.; Paul, M. J.; Abraham, D. T.; Thomas, N.; Seshadri, M. S.

 

Source: ANZ Journal of Surgery, Volume 77, Supplement 1, May 2007, pp. A24-A24(1)

 

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

 

Abstract:

Background

 

Pheochromocytomas are diagnosed in

 

Methodology

 

A retrospective analysis of case records of those patients with histopathologically confirmed pheochromocytoma in our hospital from 1976-2006 [30 YEARS] was conducted.

 

Result

 

A total of 123 patients were diagnosed during this period. The median age at presentation was 31 years (range 9-71) with a male to female sex distribution of 75% and 36%. 80% were hypertensive at the time of diagnosis. Headache(84%), palpitations(64%) and sweating(60%) are the most common presenting complaints.Tachycardia [>100 per minute]were seen in 31%. Hypertensive changes in eyes were seen in 87%. In ECG, QTc prolongation in 26%, left ventricular hypertrophy in 30%. Diabetes mellitus/IGT was seen in 35%. Elevated urinary VMA (24 hrs) was seen in 93% when done on 3 consecutive days.

 

MIBG was positive in 85%. Malignant pheochromocytoma was diagnosed by tumour invasion/metastasis seen 10.44%. Extra adrenal pheochromocytoma 18%, followed by bilateral pheochromocytoma in 11%. Hereditary pheochromocytoma in 13% which include 5 with Von Hippel Lindau and 6 with MEN.

 

A median follow-up was 12 months (range 1-204) in which persistent hypertension was seen in 16%. Cholelithiasis in 7%.

 

Conclusion

 

In our case series the mean age (31yrs) of presentation seems to be younger compared to other case series. 16% of our patients were asymptomatic at the time of presentation. Urinary VMA was elevated in 93% of patients when done in 3 consecutive samples. Extra adrenal pheo was common in our patients (18%). MIBG was false negative in 15% of those patients with pheochromocytoma.

 

Document Type: Research article

 

DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04118_13.x