[Diagnosis of extrarenal, secondary forms of hypertension]

The secondary, nonrenal forms of hypertension principally include pheochromocytoma, hyperaldosteronism, hypercortisolism, iatrogenic hypertension following medication, and hypertension related to overindulgence. Other very rare secondary forms of hypertension will not be considered here. Pheochromocytoma is the most dangerous of all the forms of hypertension. Diagnosis of the underlying cause of endocrine-derived hypertension is achieved by hormone analysis. Due to the small size of endocrine tumors, their exact localization can often not be established by sonography, such that CT or MR are the examinations of choice. Scintigrams are only necessary in special cases. For tumor localization in Cushing's disease, hormone measurements from the petrosal sinus are occasionally required. Medication, and above all, continual alcohol consumption, play an increasing role in the etiology of hypertension.