[Pheochromocytoma in Dakar: report of nine cases]

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting neoplasm of chromaffin tissue. The most common symptom is hypertension but there are incidentally discovered forms at imaging. From 1981 to 1998, the authors observed nine pheochromocytomas through three hospitals in Dakar. This study included seven male and two female patients. The average age was 31.61 years. Hypertension was present in 77% of the cases. Headache, palpitations and sweating were the authors most frequent symptoms, occuring in 55% of cases. Measurement of vanillyl mandelic acid level in six cases and urinary metanephrines in three cases made the diagnosis. There were six adrenal and three extra adrenal pheochromocytomas with two malignant tumors features. In our countries, measurement of urinary metanephrines and computed tomography processing may improve detection of pheochromocytomas.