[The diagnosis and treatment of chromaffinomas]

The results of examinations and surgical treatment of 117 patients with chromaffin tumors are shown: one-sided localization in the adrenal in 88% of the patients, bilateral localization in 4.3%, and extraadrenal in 7.7%. An analysis of the possibilities of the laboratory-instrumental diagnosis of chromaffinomas has shown that the method should be used in case of valid need. The absence of changes to the level of catecholamines and their metabolites in urine does not exclude the presence of chromaffinomas. The optimal access for the ablation of chromaffinoma of the adrenal larger than 5 cm in diameter is thoracofrenotomy in the tenth intercostal space. Endovideosurgical interventions in the adrenals can be used for the size of chromaffinoma less than 5 cm in diameter and with the absence of signs of malignisation and marked hemodynamic disorders. The superior medial laparotomy is expedient for extraadrenal pheochromocytoma of the abdominal area and for bilateral localization in the adrenals.