Acute coronary syndrome-like presentation with prolonged QT interval: an unusual case of pheochromocytoma.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare adrenal gland tumour, usually alerting the physician by causing hypertensive tachycardic attacks. Patients with pheochromocytoma can rarely present with clinical signs similar to acute coronary syndrome. QT interval prolongation and ST segment changes due to pheochromocytoma have also been reported in the literature in a few case reports. We report a patient who had been admitted to the emergency department with chest pain, ischaemic ECG changes and marked QT prolongation. Despite a normal coronary angiogram, we observed that the QT interval and ST segment morphologies had changed during the hospitalisation period. Adrenal adenoma was diagnosed incidentally on abdominal CT scan, and the final diagnosis was pheochromocytoma. The tumour was successfully excised and the patient is now symptom free. When there is lack of a typical clinical picture, the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma might be challenging. It is also very crucial, since misdiagnosis can be life-threatening.
Department of Cardiology, Ankara Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara, Turkey.
Nil
N
Ozyuncu
Department of Cardiology, Ankara Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara, Turkey.
Sevinc
S
Akturk
Department of Cardiology, Ankara Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara, Turkey.
Turkan Seda
TS
Tan Kurklu
Department of Cardiology, Ankara Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara, Turkey.
Cetin
C
Erol
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