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East and Central African Journal of Surgery
Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
ISSN: 1024-297X EISSN: 1024-297X
Vol. 9, No. 1, 2004, pp. 71-75
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Bioline Code: js04017
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2004, pp. 71-75
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Phaeochromocytoma: Experience with 12 cases in Tikur Anbessa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Orva Johnson
Abstract
Background: The incidence of phaeochromocytomas in Europe and the USA is well documentea. From Africa, including Ethiopia, there are few reports on the disease. This paper describes 12 cases of phaeochrocytomas managed in Tikur Anbessa Hospital Addis Ababa between 1981 and 2001 inclusive.
Methods: A retrospective study of 40 patients undergoing adrenalectomy during the years under review was undertaken. The indications for surgery were Cushing's Syndromes in 24 cases, Phaeochromocytoma in 12 and adrenocortical tumours in 4 patients.This paper describes our experience with the management of the twelve patients with the phaeochromocytomas.
Resu1ts: The patients' ages ranged between 21 and 60 years. There were 5 males and 7 females. The majority of patients presented with clinical features related to episodic elevation of cathecolamines. Vanilylmandelic acid (VMA) in 24 hour urine was elevated in 10 patients. Localization of the tumours was made by ultrasonography
or on exploration. The phaeochromocytomas were unilateral in 10 cases, seven of them on the left side. One patient had bilateral turnours and one other patient had an ectopic tumour. The tumours were operated through transabdominal or lower transthoracic approach.
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© Copyright 2004 - East and Central African Journal of Surgery
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