Korean J Med.  2005 Mar;68(3):325-328.

Pheochromocytoma in pregnancy: A case report

• Cho JH
• Park SW
• Lee KD
• Cho YJ
• Nam HW

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is very rarely discovered, and this condition is life threatening to both mother and fetus. Maternal and fetal survival depend a lot on an early diagnosis, a correct medical therapy and a correct timing of delivery and surgery. We describe a case of pheochromocytoma during pregnancy. A patient was transferred to our hospital during gestational week 24 with severe hypertension, generalized edema. Pheochromocytoma caused by a left adrenal mass was diagnosed. The patient was treated with titrated dose of phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, and intravenous nicardipine, but intermittent severe hypertension was developed. At 33 weeks gestation, fetal distress was developed, and emergent cesarean section was done. Two weeks after delivery, she underwent a successful left adrenalectomy. Two months after surgery, all antihypertensive medications were discontinued and her blood pressure have remained normal range.

Keyword

Pheochromocytoma; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Adrenalectomy
Blood Pressure
Cesarean Section
Early Diagnosis
Edema
Female
Fetal Distress
Fetus
Humans
Hypertension
Mothers
Nicardipine
Phenoxybenzamine
Pheochromocytoma*
Pregnancy*
Propranolol
Reference Values
Nicardipine
Phenoxybenzamine
Propranolol