J Korean Endocr Soc.  2007 Dec;22(6):465-469. 10.3803/jkes.2007.22.6.465.

A Case of Graves' Disease with Pheochromocytoma

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea.

Abstract

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder in which thyrotropin-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland. Stress hormones such as catecholamine are known to play important roles in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. Pheochromocytoma with Graves' disease is extremely rare, and no case has been reported within the Republic of Korea. However, according to previous studies conducted abroad, pheochromocytoma influences the pathogenesis of Graves' disease by producing excessive cathecholamine. In the present report, we describe a 65-year-old female patient with paroxysmal hypertension and rapidly progressive body weight loss who was diagnosed as having Graves'disease with pheochromocytoma.

Keyword

catecholamine; graves' disease; pheochromocytoma

MeSH Terms

Aged
Antibodies
Body Weight
Female
Graves Disease*
Humans
Hypertension
Pheochromocytoma*
Republic of Korea
Thyroid Gland
Antibodies

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A. Abdominopelvic CT scan. A 4 cm sized exophytic enhancing mass in lateral aspect of right kidney. B. MIBG (I123) scan. Hot uptake in right upper abdomen.

  • Fig. 2 A.Thyroid scan (Tc-99m). B, C. Thyroid ultrasonogram (B. Right, C. Left). Diffuse goitor.

  • Fig. 3 A. Gross photography of resected right adrenal gland. The specimen consists of an ovoid fragment of yellowish gray soft tissue, measuring 5 × 4 × 3.5 cm and weighing 36 gm. The external surface is well capsulated. On section, the cut surface shows reddish gray medullary distention, measuring 4 × 3 cm across. B. Microscopic finding. The tumor cells are arranged in well definded nests with finely granular cytoplasm. Chromogranin and S-100 are positive result.


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