A Norepinephrine-Secreting Glomic Tissue Tumor (Chemodectoma)

Abstract

Norepinephrine production by tumors of glomic tissue has only recently been described. This study is a report of the fourth patient with such a tumor. Two of these four tumors have been chromaffin positive. Embryologic differentiation of glomic tissue from true chromaffin paraganglia on the basis of lack of catecholamine elaboration and chromaffinity no longer seems valid. Kohn's hypothesis of the neuroectodermal origin of glomic tissue finds support from the findings in these four patients. The fact that glomic tissue tumors can produce norepinephrine and can mimic pheochromocytomas should be realized by physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of both conditions.