A case report of the use of magnesium sulphate during anaesthesia in a patient who had adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma.
BACKGROUND
Patients with phaeochromocytoma have haemodynamic instability during adrenalectomy.


METHODS
A case showing major swings of blood pressure during tumour handling.


METHODS
Magnesium sulphate infusion alone failed to prevent severe hypertension.


RESULTS
The patient had to be given phentolamine and sodium nitroprusside to control the severe hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
The greatest value of magnesium sulphate is in controlling catecholamine release at induction and intubation, and in association with other agents in controlling arrhythmias and hypertension during tumour handling.
Lim
K S
KS
Department of Anaesthesia, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore.
Low
T C
TC
Ng
B K
BK
Rajasoorya
C
C
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009599:Nitroprusside; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D010646:Phentolamine