Phaeochromocytoma in a 20-year-old Nigerian, resolving the dilemma of benignity or malignancy.
Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that present a diagnostic challenge in developing countries. They occur in the adrenal gland and as paragangliomas along the sympathetic chain. Clinical features are usually those of sustained or paroxysmal hypertension and complications thereof. Surgical extirpation remains the mainstay of treatment and is greatly facilitated by accurate pre-operative tumor localization. Pre-operative medical management with antihypertensive medication has led to significant reductions in peri-operative mortality. Determination of malignancy is difficult in the absence of obvious metastases. We present a case of left adrenal phechromocytoma that was stabilized. Adrenalectomy had a good outcome and the patient has so far been followed up for a year.
Urology unit, Department of Surgery;
Fred O
FO
Ugwumba
Department of Morbid Anatomy;
Okechukwu C
OC
Okafor
Urology unit, Department of Surgery;
Agharighom David
AD
Okoh
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Obinna Virginus
OV
Ajuzieogu
Nigerian; benign; malignant.; phaeochromocytoma