Open AccessSecondary hypertension: An update on the diagnosis and localisation of a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma
Author(s) -
Nida Siddiqui,
Reyna Daya,
Faheem Seedat,
Saajidah Bulbulia,
Zaheer Bayat
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
south african family practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2078-6204
pISSN - 2078-6190
DOI - 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5277
Subject(s) - medicine , pheochromocytoma , paraganglioma , secondary hypertension , endocrine system , referral , multiple endocrine neoplasia , essential hypertension , focus (optics) , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , pathology , blood pressure , family medicine , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , hormone , optics , gene
Most cases of hypertension are because of essential hypertension, however 5% - 15% of cases can be a result of a secondary cause. In this article, we focus on the endocrine causes of secondary hypertension with a particular focus on pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs). Around 15 endocrine disorders can initially present with hypertension. Amongst those PCCs and PGLs are rare but potentially life-threatening causes. An early diagnosis and timely referral can be life-saving. Herein, we present an approach for screening and diagnosis of these patients and focus on the importance of genetic testing.