[Pheochromocytoma]

Presentation of 7 case reports of pheochromocytome, diagnosed and treated in our Centre between 1981 and 1995. Clinically all patients had hypertension. Three presented the triple condition of hypertension, pulsatile headache and palpitations. The most useful analytical studies were urine vainillylmandelic acid (VMA) and catecholamines. The main radiologic method was the scanner (CT). Pre-surgical preparation was with alpha-blockers in 5 patients, adding beta-blockers in 3. Treatment was surgical in all cases, and the approach was selected based on the tumour's size and location. One patient with severe rheumatic heart disease died on day 3 post-surgery. Mean follow-up is 19 months, and only one patient requires anti-hypertensive medication following surgery.