Pheochromocytoma Diagnosis

Your doctor will take a medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma may include the following tests:

• 24-hour urine testing-to measure amounts of catecholamines (a group of hormones made by the adrenal glands near the kidneys), including epinephrine and norepinephrine and their byproducts (metanephrines)
• Blood testing-to measure catecholamines and metanephrines
• Clonidine suppression test-a dose of the drug clonidine is given, and blood levels of norepinephrine are tested
• CT scan -a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body; used to diagnose the presence of the tumor
• Ultrasound -a noninvasive test using sound waves, which may be used to help detect adrenal tumors
• MRI scan -a test that uses magnetic waves to produce cross-sectional or three-dimensional images of the body's tissues
• MIBG scintiscan (or adrenal medullary imaging)-an imaging test for diagnosing adrenal tumors, in which tiny amounts of radioactive materials are injected into the body
• Fluorodopamine PET scan-used when the blood tests indicate presence of pheochromocytoma, but other imaging tests do not reveal the presence of the tumor