Acute appendicitis in a patient with undiagnosed pheochromocytoma.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-producing tumor that can cause severe hypertension and other systemic disturbances. A clinical challenge arises when a patient with a previously undiagnosed and untreated pheochromocytoma presents with a surgical emergency. We describe a patient presenting with acute appendicitis in whom surgery was cancelled because of suspected pheochromocytoma. The possibility of mortality associated with surgery in a patient with an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma outweighed the risk of nonoperative management for appendicitis. This case resulted in a nonoperative resolution of appendicitis and an unremarkable recovery once appropriate hypertension treatment was administered.
Tarant
Nicki S
NS
Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California 92134-1005, USA.
Dacanay
Rhodel G
RG
Mecklenburg
Brian W
BW
Birmingham
Sean D
SD
Lujan
Eugenio
E
Green
Richard
R
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis