Pheochromocytoma: State of the Art and Guide to Evaluation and Management

Pheochromocytoma is so called because it acquires a dusky color on staining with chromium salts. Roux in Switzerland and Charles Mayo in United States first performed excision of Pheochromocytoma. The excess circulating catecholamines have action on the adrenergic receptors. Approximately 0.5% of hypertensives are having pheochromocytoma of which 10% are accidentally detected. 85% of pheochromocytoma occur in adrenal medulla, 8% in the organ of Zuckerkandl. Ectopic sites are rarely involved like the chest (2%), neck (1%) and urinary bladder