Pheochromocytoma crisis induced by glucocorticoids: a report of four cases and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Pheochromocytoma crisis (PC) is a rare life-threatening endocrine emergency that may present spontaneously or can be unmasked by 'triggers', including certain medications that provoke the release of catecholamines by tumors. Several isolated cases of PC have been reported after administration of exogenous glucocorticoids; evidence that these drugs cause adverse events in patients with pheochromocytoma is mainly anecdotal.


METHODS
We report four cases of PC most likely induced by glucocorticoids and review seven previous reports in the literature linking steroid administration to the development of PC.


RESULTS
In four new cases reported here, glucocorticoid administration was associated with a fatal outcome in one case, a pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis in another, and serious hypertensive crises in two others. Two patients had incidental adrenal masses and were undergoing high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests (DST).


CONCLUSIONS
Exogenous glucocorticoids may unpredictably trigger PC. Pheochromocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient who develops a hypertensive crisis, cardiac failure, tachycardia, headache, and abdominal or chest pain after receiving exogenous glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid induced PC is frequently associated with hemorrhagic pheochromocytoma. Although exogenous glucocorticoids cause serious complications unpredictably, they should be avoided or administered only if necessary and with caution in patients with known or suspected pheochromocytoma. During the investigation of incidental adrenal masses, pheochromocytoma should ideally be ruled out before administering glucocorticoids. However, no cases have been reported with 1 mg of dexamethasone when given as a DST in patients with pheochromocytoma; larger doses, as low as 2 mg of dexamethasone, may trigger a PC. A patient with pheochromocytoma presenting as an adrenal incidentaloma may also be at risk if exposed to glucocorticoids given as pre-treatment in case of allergy to contrast media.
Rosas
Alejandro L
AL
Department of Anesthesiology, The Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin, MS M375, Houston, Texas 77005, USA. arosas@tmhs.org
Kasperlik-Zaluska
Anna A
AA
Papierska
Lucyna
L
Bass
Barbara Lee
BL
Pacak
Karel
K
Eisenhofer
Graeme
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
D005938:Glucocorticoids