EndocrinologyTier 2Topic

Investigations for phaeochromocytoma

Two questions, in order

Two questions, in order:
- 1. Is there excess catecholamine secretion? -> biochemistry
- 2. Where is it, and is it metastatic? -> anatomical then functional imaging
*Never image first.* An adrenal lesion found before biochemistry cannot be interpreted

Who to test

Epidemiology and heritability

Why metanephrines and not catecholamines

Secretory phenotype predicts biology

Biochemistry - the diagnostic test

Clonidine suppression test - for equivocal results only

Anatomical imaging - only once biochemistry is positive

Functional imaging - for staging, not diagnosis

Genetic testing

Histology

Before any surgery or procedure

Post-operative

Hereditary syndromes

Prognosis

14 more sections, plus exam facts

Premium unlocks every note across every specialty, and the full exam fact library behind it.

Get premium access