Measurement of Norepinephrine and 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylglycol in Urine and Plasma for the Diagnosis of Pheochromocytoma

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Abstract
We compared the value of plasma samples with that of 24-hour urine samples in identifying patients with pheochromocytoma among those with hypertension. We employed specific gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of both urine and plasma for simultaneous assay of norepinephrine and its neuronal metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG). The study population consisted of 1086 patients with hypertension, among them 25 patients with proved pheochromocytoma. Reference ranges for free norepinephrine and DHPG in plasma and urine were established.