title: Phaeochromocytoma masquerading as anxiety and depression.
abstract: Patient: Female, 36Final Diagnosis: PheochromocytomaSymptoms: Anxiety • depressionMedication: -Clinical Procedure: -Specialty: Oncology • endocrinology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Unusual clinical course, Mistake in diagnosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumour with protean clinical manifestations, which can mimic a variety of conditions, often resulting in erroneous and delayed diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of undiagnosed pheochromocytoma in a 36 year old female with a 15 year history of anxiety and depression is described. The patient collapsed while on the phone to the next of kin and stopped breathing. She was initially revived but suffered a cardiac arrest and died. At autopsy an undiagnosed adrenal pheochromocytoma was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When considering a diagnosis of anxiety and depression, medical causes of the symptoms must be excluded. Common conditions, such as thyroid disorders, stimulant abuse, asthma, cardiac arrhythmias, alcohol withdrawal and rarely pheochromocytoma, causing a similar spectrum of symptoms should be excluded by history and clinical examination.
authors.affiliation: Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia.
authors.forename: Ibrahim M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Zardawi
keywords: anxiety; depression; phaeochromocytoma