[Diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma. Report of 49 cases]

From 1958 to 1990, 49 patients with pheochromocytoma were treated surgically. The tumors were located in the adrenal gland in 34 cases (69.4%) and in the extra-adrenal gland in 15 cases (30.6%). In two cases the tumors were pheochromoblastoma and in 6 cases the tumors were asymptomatic. Determination of urine VMA has a screening value for patients with pheochromocytoma. The corresponding rate was 91.3% by B-ultrasonography to localize the tumor. CT scanning can clearly identify pheochromocytoma of its size and relation to the adjacent organs, which may provide a basis for the selection of operative methods. Administration of alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drugs and expanding blood volume are very important procedures, which can effectively reduce the mortality rate.