title: Use of plasma catecholamine values in diagnosing pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma.
abstract: The diagnosis in two cases of neural crest tumours was confirmed by the measurement of concentration of plasma catecholamines. A histamine provocative test monitored by values of plasma catecholamines provided support for a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in a patient with normal blood pressure and elevated values of urinary amines. In the second case the presence of a ganglioneuroblastoma secreting abnormal amounts of catecholamines was detected by plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine measurements when values of urinary free catecholamines were normal.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006632:Histamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D006632:Histamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine