Gastrointestinal pseudo-obstruction due to pheochromocytoma.
A patient with a pheochromocytoma is described whose intermittent symptoms and clinical findings suggested upper gastrointestinal obstruction. The nature of this illness proved elusive until severe paroxysmal hypertension was noted during a periodic examination. The case report and gastrointestinal x-rays confirm the intermittent nature of both the gastrointestinal motility disturbances and the hypertension. The resolution of the gastrointestinal symptoms during a 3-years postoperative follow-up confirms the association. Gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely the predominant manifestation of pheochromocytoma, but recognition of this association may permit earlier diagnosis.
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography