BILATERAL FAMILIAL PHAEOCHROMOCYTOMATA' WITH PAROXYSMAL HYPERTENSION: SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL REMOVAL OF TUMORS IN TWO CASES, WITH DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

Two patients are reported, members of the same family, each of whom had apparently active phaeochromocytomata of both adrenals. Successful surgical removal of 3 tumors from these 2 patients, with eventual relief of symptoms is described. The histamine test, devised by Roth and Kvale (Amer. Jour. Med. Sci. 210: 653. 1945) proved to be very valuable in diagnosing the presence of these tumors. In the patients here reported, so long as the test remained positive, it was possible to find and remove more tumors. The mechanism of the test is discussed. Previous reports of multiple phaeochromo-cytomata are reviewed. In none of these was the diagnosis of either tumor suspected. The importance of diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma is emphasized. Since it may present the symptomatology of paroxysmal hypertension, benign hypertension, malignant hypertension, or hyperthyroidism, it is urged that the clinical use of histamine and other pharma-cologic tests become more widespread.