[Pheochromocytoma in children disclosed by pseudomigrainous headache attacks]

The authors report the case of a 10 year old child presenting with a three year history of paroxysmal headaches resembling migraine, and with a positive family history of the condition. It was only after three years that the symptomatology changed to become very suggestive of pheochromocytoma. The case illustrates the difficulties of assessing headaches in childhood and the authors question whether catecholamines and their metabolites should be measured in addition to the classical investigations (retinoscopy, skull X-Ray, EEG, CAT) in children with recurrent, severe and unexplained headaches. The importance of taking the blood pressure during an attack, a simple procedure which may be performed by parents, is emphasised.