A rare case of clinically and biochemically silent giant right pheochromocytoma: case report and review of literature

Acta Chir Belg. 2016 Aug;116(4):239-242. doi: 10.1080/00015458.2016.1139838. Epub 2016 Apr 21.

Abstract

Non-secreting pheochromocytomas are rare adrenal tumours. We report the case of a clinically and biochemically silent giant pheochromocytoma that presented as bilateral pulmonary embolisms. Successful surgical resection was performed. Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1 were clinically excluded. Subsequent DNA analysis of the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunits B and D (SDHB and SDHD), and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) genes revealed no mutations.

Keywords: Adrenal gland neoplasms; case report; pulmonary embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Adrenalectomy / methods*
  • Catecholamines / blood
  • Catecholamines / urine
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Rare Diseases
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Catecholamines