Canine pheochromocytoma : a retrospective study of 24 cases diagnosed at the teaching hospital of Maisons-Alfort between 2005 and 2002 ; Le phéochromocytome chez le chien : étude rétrospective sur 24 cas rencontrés au ChuvA-AC entre 2005 et 2022

Pheochromocytoma is a tumour of the chromaffin cells arising from the adrenal medulla that may have an autonomous intermittent catecholamine-secreting activity. It is very rare and accounts for only 0.01% to 0.1% of canine tumours. The clinical signs observed are mainly direct consequences of intermittent catecholamine secretion by the tumour. They may also be related to tumour-induced mass effect and/or invasion of adjacent structures. This results in numerous clinical signs, often unspecific, but also cardiovascular (possibly as a consequence of induced systemic hypertension) or neuromuscular. Nevertheless, pheochromocytoma is often asymptomatic and of incidental diagnosis. A summary of the literature was presented in the first part of this study and then completed by a retrospective study in the second part. The aim was to carry out a global description of the 24 dogs with pheochromocytoma presented to the teaching hospital of Maisons-Alfort (Chuv-AC) between 1st January 2005 and 30th June 2022 and to compare the data collected with those from the literature. In general, the results of this study were similar to the results of the literature studies. It also confirmed the diagnostic difficulty of a pheochromocytoma, particularly on the basis of blood or urine tests. In the end, the most interesting investigation are imaging examinations such as ultrasound or CT scans to identify an adrenal mass. The determination of plasma and/or urinary metanephrines and normetanephrines usually confirm the presence of a functional secreting pheochromocytoma. Although not easily accessible, scintigraphy is also an interesting diagnostic method. Histological examination allows a definite diagnosis but requires adrenalectomy, which is the treatment of choice. Medical treatment is possible and is frequently used in this study. The results of this study should b interpreted with caution due to the small number of cases included. In conclusion, this work aims to raise awareness among veterinarians about this rare disease entity, ...