title: Pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIB and pyelonephritis.
abstract: A patient with pyelonephritis developed multiorgan failure resulting in death. Clinical findings were consistent with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II, with bilateral pheochromocytomas identified by computed tomography scan. We hypothesize that either the infection or the administration of radiocontrast media led to a massive release of catecholamines from the pheochromocytomas. As a result, tissue perfusion was severely compromised, and multiorgan failure developed. This exceedingly rare complication of pheochromocytoma has been termed pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, and Department of Pathology, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fishbane
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Courgi
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kostadinov
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000473:pathology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D018814:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b / Q000473:pathology*; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology*; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines