Orthostatic hypotension as an unusual clinical manifestation of pheochromocytoma: a case report.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare endocrine tumor which can have a highly variable presentation related to increased catecholamine secretion. We report the case of a 74-year-old man in whom recurrent episodes of syncope due to orthostatic hypotension were the only clinical manifestations of this challenging entity. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was achieved by biochemical test samples and computed tomography scans. Surgical excision of the tumor resulted in clinical improvement with normalization of catecholamine concentrations and no more episodes of orthostatic hypotension during a follow-up of 24 months. Although rare, pheochromocytoma may frequently cause disorders of orthostatic tolerance; because of its meaningful implications, screening for this entity should be considered in case of recurrent syncopal episodes due to new-onset orthostatic hypotension.
Bortnik
Miriam
M
Cardiology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy. miriam.bortnik@libero.it
Occhetta
Eraldo
E
Marino
Paolo
P
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D002395:Catecholamines