[Endocrine arterial hypertension. Pheochromocytoma]

The authors emphasize some embryologic features of the chromaffin tissue as a basis of understanding of both the physiopathologic and clinical aspects of Pheochromocytoma. The appropriate sequence of diagnostic procedures was established in order to obtain clinical, biochemical and anatomical evidence of the tumor. It was concluded that an early diagnosis is mandatory in order to plan a curative surgical therapeutic approach. The embryologic and biochemical understanding of the Pheochromocytoma, in the context of the neuroendocrine tumors, allows a better rationale both for the diagnosis and therapy of this condition.