A case of bilateral pheochromocytoma during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Pheochromocytoma is a disease where catecholamines are secreted. If pheochromocytoma occurs during pregnancy, it can be difficult to diagnose because it is similar to pregnancy-induced hypertension. Furthermore, bilateral pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is even rarer than unilateral pheochromocytoma.


METHODS
A 32-year-old primigravida, who was 12 weeks' pregnant, was aware of right abdominal discomfort. Masses in both adrenal glands were observed by abdominal ultrasonography. She was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. Bilateral adrenalectomy was undertaken at 15 weeks' gestation and she continued pregnancy. At 39 weeks' gestation, a healthy male neonate was delivered. She was discharged on the 4th postpartum day.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a case of bilateral pheochromocytoma during pregnancy that was diagnosed in the first trimester. Differentiating pheochromocytoma from pregnancy-induced hypertension is important. Early diagnosis and appropriate blood pressure management with medical treatment followed by surgical removal of the tumor results in good maternal and fetal outcomes.
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Kishu
K
Kitayama
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan. spqv9ke9@view.ocn.ne.jp.
Shinichiro
S
Kashiwagi
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Ryosuke
R
Amano
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Satoru
S
Noda
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Go
G
Ohira
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Sadaaki
S
Yamazoe
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Kenjiro
K
Kimura
Department of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Kae
K
Hamamoto
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Akihiro
A
Hamuro
Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Masahiko
M
Ohsawa
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Naoyoshi
N
Onoda
Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Kosei
K
Hirakawa
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery