[Evaluation of the usefulness for measuring catecholamines and their principle metabolites in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma].

Objective of the study was assessment of the usefulness of determination of noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) in urine and blood as well as the total methoxycatecholamines (MNA +MA), vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), DOPA and dopamine (DA) urinary excretion in diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The experience based on 155 patients with pheochromocytoma (105F, 50M, age 18-82 yrs) diagnosed in the Department of Hypertension and Angiology Academy of Medicine in Warsaw will be discussed. In all patients excluding 2 cases pheochromocytoma has been proven histopathologically. The most considerable diagnostic usefulness of MNA + MA indication was proven. MNA + MA was increased in 96.6 patients. In 89.6% patients an increased excretion of NA and A or one of this catecholamines was demonstrated. An increased excretion of VMA was demonstrated in 75%. The excretion of DOPA and dopamine was tested in 120 cases. An increased excretion of DA was shown in 31% and DOPA in 16%.