Comparison of plasma metanephrines measured by a commercial immunoassay and urinary catecholamines in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma

Abstract

Measurement of plasma free metanephrines by immunoassay appears to be a useful diagnostic test in patients suspected of pheochromocytoma, with a high specificity as compared with urinary catecholamines. The latter may result in fewer false-positive findings, an outcome which may be particularly troublesome.