title: Incidentally detected inoperable malignant pheochromocytoma with hepatic metastasis treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.
abstract: Malignant pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare condition. Although the liver is the second most frequent site of metastasis in malignant PCC, no definite treatments have been established. Herein, we report a case of liver metastasis of PCC that was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). A 69-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology for evaluation of an incidental hepatic mass in August 2013. He had undergone right adrenalectomy in May 2005 and PCC had been confirmed on the basis of histopathological findings. Liver biopsy was performed, and metastatic PCC was diagnosed. The lesion appeared inoperable because of invasion of the portal vein and metastases in the lymph nodes along the hepatoduodenal ligament. Thus, TACE was performed instead. After TACE, symptoms including dizziness and cold sweating improved, and the patient's serum catecholamine levels decreased. On the basis of this case, we believe that TACE may be a useful treatment for liver metastasis in malignant PCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Joong Keun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.; Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. pons71@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Bo Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Kyoung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.; Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: In Joo
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Liver metastasis; Malignant pheochromocytoma; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization