Transient hypertension due to adrenal hemorrhage in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease

Intern Med. 1997 Apr;36(4):289-92. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.36.289.

Abstract

A 29-year-old man with von Recklinghausen's disease suddenly developed severe epigastric pain and was admitted to hospital. Physical examination revealed elevated blood pressure (200/130 mmHg) and tachycardia (162 bpm). Initially, he was suspected to have appendicitis, and appendectomy was performed immediately; however, appendicitis was not demonstrable pathologically. Retroperitoneal hematoma was found incidentally during the operation. Further clinical and laboratory examination demonstrated a marked increase in the urinary excretion of catecholamines. There was no evidence of pheochromocytoma on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; however, these imaging studies simply showed a hematoma at the right adrenal gland. Transient hypertension and tachycardia, resembling pheochromocytoma, was caused by adrenal hemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / complications*
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / pathology
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hemorrhage / complications*
  • Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / complications*
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis