PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Davies, R. A.
AU  - Patt, N. L.
AU  - Sole, M. J.
TI  - Localization of pheochromocytoma by selective venous catheterization and assay of plasma catecholamines
DP  - 1979 Mar 03
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 539--542
VI  - 120
IP  - 5
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/120/5/539.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/120/5/539.full
SO  - CMAJ1979 Mar 03; 120
AB  - The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma rests primarily on determination of the 24-hour urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites. In most cases nephrotomography and selective arteriography or venography, or both, are sufficient to localize the tumour. Selective venous catheterization and the assay of plasma catecholamines should be considered for pheochromocytoma localization in: (a) patients in whom standard techniques fail to localize the tumour; (b) patients who exhibit idiosyncratic reactions to the angiographic contrast materials; (c) young patients or patients with familial pheochromocytoma, including those with multiple neurofibromatosis or multiple endocrine adenomatosis, type 2; (d) patients with recurrent, malignant, or suspected multicentric or extra-adrenal tumours; and (e) patients excreting only norepinephrine in the urine. The validity of the results is particularly dependent on the skill with which venous catheterization is carried out.