Pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder: a broad clinical spectrum

A case of pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is reported, and 35 perviously reported cases are analyzed. This interesting entity can present with symptoms of catecholamine excess and severe hypertensive spells (often micturition-induced) or as asymptomatic hematuria without hypertension. The present case represents the severest end of the clinical spectrum, with advancing acute retinopathy and visual loss, very high blood pressure and greatly increased catecholamine excretion. Several special precautions were utilized during diagnostic studies and surgery. On the whole, prognosis is excellent in nonmalignant cases properly handled, and the location of the tumor provides opportunity for early case finding and complete cure.