A new simplified approach to the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma

Blood catecholamine assays have been used for diagnosis and computerized axial tomography for localization of proved pheochromocytomas in a series of 16 patients. Blood catecholamine assays were obtained in 15 of the patients and were significantly elevated in every instance. Successful localization of the tumor was accomplished by excretory urography in only 40 per cent of the cases, by selective angiography in 84 per cent of the cases and by abdominal computerized axial tomography in 84 per cent of the cases studied. In 4 patients preoperative identification and localization of tumor were correctly determined by computerized axial tomography alone. Data in this series suggest that the diagnosis and localization of pheochromocytoma usually can be accomplished by a simple test and body scan. More elaborate and sometimes hazardous studies should be necessary only in exceptional cases, usually with tumors less than 3 cm. in diameter.