Case Report

Epinephrine-secreting Pheochromocytoma in a Normotensive Woman with Adrenal Incidentaloma

Authors: Norlela Sukor, MD, MMed, Rashidi Saidin, MBBS, MMed, Nor Azmi Kamaruddin, MBBS, MMed

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that produce, metabolize, and usually secrete catecholamines. Although hypertension is a common presenting feature of pheochromocytoma, the tumors occur (or are present) in only 0.1% of patients with hypertension. The variability of symptoms and rarity of occurrence render these tumors difficult to diagnose; many are discovered incidentally during radiological examination or at autopsy. A patient is presented with a pheochromocytoma that was discovered incidentally when she presented with abdominal pain and a normal blood pressure.


Key Points


* Every adrenal incidentaloma should be screened for pheochromocytoma since it can account for up to 20% of cases.


* The hypertension that accompanies pheochromocytoma has generally been ascribed to the excessive circulating catecholamines released from the tumor.


* Epinephrine producing pheochromocytoma is more often asymptomatic.

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