Neurological aspects of chromaffinoma

Vegetative dysfunction with episodes of tachycardia, hypertension, paleness, general hyperhidrosis, subfebrile condition, hyperglycemia manifest first among clinical symptoms of chromaffinoma. In respect to these symptoms severity the crises observed in chromaffinoma are classified as minor or major. Major crises may be cerebral, epileptiform, cardial and abdominal. The crises are attributed to hypercatecholaminergic arterial hypertension. A reliable laboratory diagnosis of the disease involves urinary measurements of catecholamines and their metabolites. Manifold increase of the latter concentrations may serve the diagnostic indication. The only effective treatment is the removal of the tumor from the adrenals.