Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation and outcome of surgery in children with pheochromocytoma in a tertiary care hospital in India.
Methods: Clinical records of 24 children who were operated between January 1990 and January 2011 were reviewed. The diagnosis of familial disease was established based on clinical examination and follow-up events.
Results: Familial, bilateral, extra-adrenal and malignant pheochromocytoma were observed in 20.8%, 20.8%, 12.5% and 4.2% children, respectively. Median follow-up duration was 36 months. Persistent hypertension was noted in 12.5% patients and similar proportion died in follow-up.
Conclusions: In the absence of routine genetic screening, good history and long- term follow up are essential to rule out familial pheochromocytoma.