Pheochromocytoma: cyclic attacks of hypertension alternating with hypotension.
BACKGROUND
A 52-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with recurrent episodes of chest and abdominal pain, dyspnea, palpitations and diaphoresis. Continuous blood pressure recordings revealed rhythmic alternation between episodes of severe hypertension and episodes of hypotension. This cyclic hemodynamic crisis continued for 2 hours, with each cycle lasting around 15 min.


METHODS
Physical examination, electrocardiography, chest radiography, continuous intra-arterial pressure monitoring, blood and urine analysis, echocardiography, abdominal CT and 131I miodobenzylguanidine scanning.


METHODS
Pheochromocytoma--a catecholamine secreting tumor.


RESULTS
Intravenous phentolamine and fluids, oral doxazosin and surgical removal of the tumor.
Kobal
Sergio L
SL
Department of Surgery A, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Paran
Esther
E
Jamali
Aamer
A
Mizrahi
Solly
S
Siegel
Robert J
RJ
Leor
Jonathan
J
D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010808:Physical Examination; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016482:Urinalysis
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine