[Adrenal gland pheochromocytomas. Apropos of 35 operated patients].

Abstract

Thirty-five patients (20 female and 15 male, mean age = 47 years) operated on for an adrenal pheochromocytoma were reviewed. Catecholamine excessive production was symptomatic in 33 patients (94%). Urinary excretion of vanyl-mandelic acid, catecholamines and metanephrine was abnormal in 84%, 75% and 90% of cases, respectively. Tumor was presumed benign (no metastasis) in 31 cases. Sensitivity of CT scan (n = 35) and magnetic resonance imaging (n = 13) was 100%. Meta-iodo-benzylguanidine scan (n = 19) always recognized the main tumor, but did not visualize 1 second tumor in 1 patient and 1 metastasis in 1 other patient. An anterior intraperitoneal approach was performed in all cases. Operative mortality rate was 5.7%. In the last 15 patients, systematic preoperative treatment by prazosine did not lead to fall in rates of peroperative arrythmia and hemodynamic disorders. Twenty-two of 25 (88%) hypertensive patients remained normotensive without medication postoperatively. The risk of undiagnosed pheochromocytoma and problems in resection of large right-sided tumors are discussed.

• Authors: Y Chapuis, A Sauvanet, N Pras-Jude, P Icard
• Journal: Journal de chirurgie (J Chir (Paris)) Vol. 129 Issue 2 Pg. 66-72 (Feb 1992) ISSN: 0021-7697 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Phéochromocytomes surrénaliens. A propos de 35 malades opérés.
• PMID: 1601933 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Prazosin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenal Gland Neoplasms (complications, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology)
• Intraoperative Care
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pheochromocytoma (complications, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Prazosin (therapeutic use)
• Preoperative Care
• Prevalence
• Retrospective Studies
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed