title: Ruptured phaeochromocytoma--a rare differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.
abstract: Ruptured phaeochromocytoma may mimic other cause of acute abdomen and though it is rare, it must be remembered as a possible differential; clinical suspicion should be increased when there is lability in blood pressure. We report a patient whose presentation closely resembles that of a leaking aortic aneurysm. The ultrasound performed was non conclusive and was followed by a computerised axial tomography which showed a retroperitoneal mass. A laparotomy was performed and histology of the mass revealed a haemorrhagic phaeochromocytoma. A computerised axial tomography is a useful investigation to distinguish it from other causes of acute abdomen and in particular a leaking aortic aneurysm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Accident and Emergency, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatia, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001019:Aortic Rupture; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed