Diagnosis and management of pheochromocytoma during pregnancy: a case report

Pheochromocytoma is known to increase morbidity and mortality. We describe a case of pheochromocytoma during pregnancy. A patient was transferred to our hospital during gestational week 15 with severe hypertension, acute pulmonary edema, and cardiomyopathy. One day after transfer, she had a spontaneous abortion of the fetus. One week after hospital transfer, she developed acute dyspnea, supraventricular tachycardia degenerating into ventricular tachycardia, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Pheochromocytoma caused by a right adrenal mass was diagnosed. The patient was treated with titrated doses of phenoxybenzamine, intravenous nicardipine, and metyrosine over a period of 3 weeks with resultant stabilization of her blood pressure. She underwent a successful right adrenalectomy 1 month after her initial presentation. Four months after surgery, all antihypertensive medications were discontinued and her blood pressure remained stable 1 year after the surgery. This case describes the maternal morbidity and fetal mortality that may be associated with pheochromocytoma during pregnancy.