Phaeochromocytoma with adult respiratory distress syndrome mimicking septicaemic shock. 1997

C C Mok, and T P Ip, and C C So
University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. ccmok@netvigator.com

Phaeochromocytomas are rare tumours that most commonly present with chronic sustained hypertension and hypertensive paroxysms or crises. We report a 49-year-old woman with unsuspected phaeochromocytoma who presented with sudden onset of profound hypotension and adult respiratory distress syndrome unresponsive to fluid and inotropic support. This case illustrates the diversity of presentations of phaeochromocytoma, depending on the type and amount of catecholamines secreted.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007022 Hypotension Abnormally low BLOOD PRESSURE that can result in inadequate blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Common symptom is DIZZINESS but greater negative impacts on the body occur when there is prolonged depravation of oxygen and nutrients. Blood Pressure, Low,Hypotension, Vascular,Low Blood Pressure,Vascular Hypotension
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010673 Pheochromocytoma A usually benign, well-encapsulated, lobular, vascular tumor of chromaffin tissue of the ADRENAL MEDULLA or sympathetic paraganglia. The cardinal symptom, reflecting the increased secretion of EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE, is HYPERTENSION, which may be persistent or intermittent. During severe attacks, there may be HEADACHE; SWEATING, palpitation, apprehension, TREMOR; PALLOR or FLUSHING of the face, NAUSEA and VOMITING, pain in the CHEST and ABDOMEN, and paresthesias of the extremities. The incidence of malignancy is as low as 5% but the pathologic distinction between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is not clear. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1298) Pheochromocytoma, Extra-Adrenal,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytoma, Extra Adrenal,Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytomas, Extra-Adrenal
D012128 Respiratory Distress Syndrome A syndrome characterized by progressive life-threatening RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY in the absence of known LUNG DISEASES, usually following a systemic insult such as surgery or major TRAUMA. ARDS, Human,Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Pediatric Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Acute,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Pediatric,Shock Lung,Distress Syndrome, Respiratory,Distress Syndromes, Respiratory,Human ARDS,Lung, Shock,Respiratory Distress Syndromes,Syndrome, Respiratory Distress
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000310 Adrenal Gland Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the ADRENAL GLANDS. Adrenal Cancer,Adrenal Gland Cancer,Adrenal Neoplasm,Cancer of the Adrenal Gland,Neoplasms, Adrenal Gland,Adrenal Cancers,Adrenal Gland Cancers,Adrenal Gland Neoplasm,Adrenal Neoplasms,Cancer, Adrenal,Cancer, Adrenal Gland,Cancers, Adrenal,Cancers, Adrenal Gland,Neoplasm, Adrenal,Neoplasm, Adrenal Gland,Neoplasms, Adrenal
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012772 Shock, Septic Sepsis associated with HYPOTENSION or hypoperfusion despite adequate fluid resuscitation. Perfusion abnormalities may include but are not limited to LACTIC ACIDOSIS; OLIGURIA; or acute alteration in mental status. Endotoxin Shock,Septic Shock,Shock, Endotoxic,Shock, Toxic,Toxic Shock,Toxic Shock Syndrome,Endotoxin Shocks,Shock Syndrome, Toxic,Shock, Endotoxin,Shocks, Endotoxin,Toxic Shock Syndromes

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