title: Pheochromocytoma manifesting with shock presents a clinical paradox: a case report.
abstract: A 46-year-old man presented with shock and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Investigations revealed an adrenal mass that was diagnosed, by fine-needle aspiration biopsy, as pheochromocytoma. Because biopsy is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma, this confusing presentation underscores the value of excluding this diagnosis by biochemical means before performing fine-needle aspiration of adrenal tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D012769:Shock / Q000150:complications*