An Incidental Discovery Following Hypertension and Headaches: A Pheochromocytoma Case Report

Division

East Florida

Hospital

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

3-9-2021

Keywords

pheochromocytoma, diagnostic radiology, internal medicine, endocrinology

Disciplines

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism | Internal Medicine | Neoplasms | Radiology

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas (PCC) are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the adrenal medulla that arise from chromaffin cells. These cells are neural crest derivatives and are innervated by the splanchnic nerve of the sympathetic nervous system which releases acetylcholine that in turn binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the adrenal medulla causing the release of catecholamines. The dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine released from these tumors are responsible for the episodic hyperadrenergic symptoms seen in these cases such as hypertension, palpitations, and headaches.

This case report discusses the incidental finding of a unilateral PCC in a 58-year-old woman who initially presented to our emergency department complaining of intermittent chest pain and headaches for two days.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS