Minimally invasive adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma during pregnancy

Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is a very rare condition; fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman found to have a pheochromocytoma during investigation of abdominal pain. This is the second reported case of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma detected during pregnancy. After appropriate radiologic investigation and medical management, a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed at the beginning of the second trimester. There were no complications, and she was delivered of a healthy baby at term. We review the management of pheochromocytoma in pregnant patients and discuss the role of laparoscopy.