Description

Screening test for presumptive diagnosis of catecholamine-secreting pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas.Pheochromocytoma is a rare, though potentially lethal, tumor of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla that produces episodes of hypertension with palpitations, severe headaches, and sweating (spells). Patients with pheochromocytoma may also be asymptomatic and present with sustained hypertension or an incidentally discovered adrenal mass. Pheochromocytomas and other tumors derived from neural crest cells (eg, paragangliomas and neuroblastomas) secrete catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine). Total urine metanephrines 1300 mcg/24 hours and lower can be detected in nonpheochromocytoma hypertensive patients.

Pre-Information

The clinical history is necessary. state the 24 hour collected urine sample volume for calculating purposes. Period of collection, from the beginning to the conclusion, excluding the first pee sample and including the last urine sample that was void.