Benzodioxan Test

Goldenberg, Snyder and Aranow1have recently reported 4 proved cases of pheochromocytoma in which the adrenolytic benzodioxan drugs were first used as diagnostic agents. Benzodioxan derivatives (933 F, 2-[1-piperidylmethyl]-1,4-benzodioxan and 1164 F, [2,4-dimethyl piperidyl] methylbenzodioxan) given intravenously produced a significant fall in blood pressure lasting from thirteen to sixteen minutes in 3 cases and a "short and slight drop" in blood pressure in the fourth. Several of the same patients have been reported on elsewhere.2 Of the other drugs used in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma it has been shown that histamine given intravenously causes a sharp rise in blood pressure3; similar results have been obtained by use of tetraethyl ammonium bromide4and methacholine bromide (mecholyl® bromide).5Dibenamine® hydrochloride (N,N-dibenzyl-beta-chlorethylamine hydrochloride) in one case depressed the hypertension.6 The patient whose case is reported herein is believed to have renal hypertension. The case is of interest