Phaeochromocytoma Flashcards
1
Q
What is it?
A
catecholoamine secreting tumour found in the adrenal medulla or in sympathetic nerve tissue elsewhere in the body
2
Q
symptoms of phaechromocytoma
A
episodic hypertension
anxiety
weight loss
fatigue
palpitations
sweating
flushing
pyrexia
abdominal pain
3
Q
signs
A
hypertension
tremor
postural hypotension
hypertensive retinopathy
4
Q
what precipitates this condition?
A
stress, exercise, straining, beta blockers and opiates
5
Q
Management
A
resection of tumour
alpha blockade and phenoxybenzamine followed by beta blockade to expand blood volume
6
Q
what investigations are needed to reach diagnosis?
A
plasma metanephrines
urinary metanephrines
adrenal imaging
CT abdomen and pelvis
PET scans
