Small extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma causing severe hypertension in an elderly patient.
We report the case of a 67-year-old woman with severe hypertension caused by an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma. The tumor was detected by 131I metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy and it was found to be small (2 cm ø) by enhanced CT. After the extirpation of the tumor, the blood pressure of the patient immediately normalized. It should be taken into account that a small extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma can be one of the causes of secondary hypertension in elderly patients. Since small extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are difficult to detect, it is also important to perform suitable examinations to establish the diagnosis. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of an accurate diagnosis in elderly patients with pheochromocytoma, for they often have less symptomatology and more severe cardiovascular complications due to refractory hypertension than younger patients.
Mizuta
Einosuke
E
Department of Genetic Medicine and Regenerative Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Tottori University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yonago, Japan. einosuke@grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp
Hamada
Toshihiro
T
Taniguchi
Shin-ichi
S
Shimoyama
Masaki
M
Nawada
Takahiro
T
Miake
Junichiro
J
Kaetsu
Yasuhiro
Y
Peili
Li
L
Ishiguro
Kiyosuke
K
Ishiguro
Shingo
S
Igawa
Osamu
O
Shigemasa
Chiaki
C
Hisatome
Ichiro
I
D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000368:Aged; D004379:Duodenal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine