Emergency Medicine: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Malignant Pheochromocytoma: A Case Report

Sajjad Ahmad, Kishwar Ali, Humera Latif and Ishtiaq Ali Khan

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of adrenal medulla, derived from catecholamine producing chromaffin cells. Majority of the patients present with headache, palpitations and sweating. It is diagnosed by 24 hour urinary VMA (Vinyl Mendelic Acid) measurements and localization is done by MRI and 123I MIBG scanning. Treatment is essentially surgical with adequate preoperative blood pressure control. Undiagnosed patients can suffer catastrophic consequences while undergoing surgery for some other condition. Ten percent of these tumors are malignant with metastasis to liver, bone and lymph nodes. We present a case of malignant Pheochromocytoma whose VMA level was within normal limits however perioperative findings and histopathology proved it to be malignant.