The importance of radiology in the localization of pheochromocytoma

The usefulness of different radiologic studies in localizing the tumor was evaluated in 26 patients with a firmly established diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The site of the lesion was correctly identified in 8% of the cases by the plain abdominal x-ray films: in 11% by the plain thoracic films; in 34% by uronephrotomography; in 88% by angiography and in 6 patients (100%) in whom computed tomography scans (CT) were performed. The tumors were intra-adrenal in 19 patients and extra-adrenal in the remaining 7 cases. Of the latter, two were found in the organ of Zuckerkandl, two were abdominal para-aortic, two others in the para-aortic region of thorax, and one with intra an extra-adrenal tumors. It is concluded that CT scans are quite successful in preoperative localization of pheochromocytoma. The non-invasive nature of the technique makes it the method of choice in the anatomical localization of this type of tumors.