Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumours that arise from the adrenal medulla or extramedullary pheochromoblasts with highly variable clinical presentation, including episodes of headache, sweating, palpitations and hypertension. Due to the non-specificity of the symptoms...

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Main Authors: W. van Vuuren, N.E. Nyakale, F.S.J. Naude, B.J. Meyer, M.M. Sathekge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2007-06-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/849
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author W. van Vuuren
N.E. Nyakale
F.S.J. Naude
B.J. Meyer
M.M. Sathekge
author_facet W. van Vuuren
N.E. Nyakale
F.S.J. Naude
B.J. Meyer
M.M. Sathekge
author_sort W. van Vuuren
collection DOAJ
description Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumours that arise from the adrenal medulla or extramedullary pheochromoblasts with highly variable clinical presentation, including episodes of headache, sweating, palpitations and hypertension. Due to the non-specificity of the symptoms there is usually a delay between the onset of symptoms and the final diagnosis. To make a firm diagnosis, biochemical testing of the blood (catecholamines) or urine (metanephrines and VMA) are mandatory. Many stimuli increase circulating catecholamines and metabolites and must receive due attention to prevent false-positive results. Therapeutically, surgery is the gold standard. To minimise complications during and post surgery the lesion(s) should be carefully localised via imaging studies. Adequate pre- and postoperative medical treatment is important. The history, diagnosis and therapy of two patients—the one with a paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl, the other with a intra thoracic paraganglioma are presented.
format Article
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issn 2078-6190
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publishDate 2007-06-01
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series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-8f0a37ccd0a9419ebbed1fad564c37d02025-08-20T03:07:21ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042007-06-0149510.1080/20786204.2007.10873557728Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two casesW. van Vuuren0N.E. Nyakale1F.S.J. Naude2B.J. Meyer3M.M. Sathekge4University of PretoriaUniversity of PretoriaUniversity of PretoriaUniversity of PretoriaUniversity of PretoriaPheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumours that arise from the adrenal medulla or extramedullary pheochromoblasts with highly variable clinical presentation, including episodes of headache, sweating, palpitations and hypertension. Due to the non-specificity of the symptoms there is usually a delay between the onset of symptoms and the final diagnosis. To make a firm diagnosis, biochemical testing of the blood (catecholamines) or urine (metanephrines and VMA) are mandatory. Many stimuli increase circulating catecholamines and metabolites and must receive due attention to prevent false-positive results. Therapeutically, surgery is the gold standard. To minimise complications during and post surgery the lesion(s) should be carefully localised via imaging studies. Adequate pre- and postoperative medical treatment is important. The history, diagnosis and therapy of two patients—the one with a paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl, the other with a intra thoracic paraganglioma are presented.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/849pheochromocytomasparagangliomas
spellingShingle W. van Vuuren
N.E. Nyakale
F.S.J. Naude
B.J. Meyer
M.M. Sathekge
Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases
South African Family Practice
pheochromocytomas
paragangliomas
title Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases
title_full Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases
title_fullStr Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases
title_full_unstemmed Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases
title_short Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and two cases
title_sort pheochromocytomas paragangliomas and two cases
topic pheochromocytomas
paragangliomas
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/849
work_keys_str_mv AT wvanvuuren pheochromocytomasparagangliomasandtwocases
AT nenyakale pheochromocytomasparagangliomasandtwocases
AT fsjnaude pheochromocytomasparagangliomasandtwocases
AT bjmeyer pheochromocytomasparagangliomasandtwocases
AT mmsathekge pheochromocytomasparagangliomasandtwocases