Diagnostic Efficacy of Unconjugated Plasma Metanephrines for the Detection of Pheochromocytoma

Abstract

DIAGNOSIS OF pheochromocytoma still poses considerable problems, as almost half of patients initially have no or only paroxysmal hypertension or may even be asymptomatic.¹ Even the classic symptom triad of bilateral diffuse headache, sweating, and palpitations provides diagnostic accuracy of only 6%.² Autopsy studies show that the disease is not recognized in 20% to 75% of patients during life but represents the cause of death in half of them.^3,4 Proper diagnosis of pheochromocytoma by highly sensitive biochemical tests therefore remains of paramount importance.