[Pheochromocytoma and von Recklinghausen's disease]

The association between von Recklinghausen's disease and pheochromocytoma is present about 10% of cases. We report a case of 49 years old women who presented with elevated blood pressure and von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. Laboratory examination showed a marked level in the urinary excretion of cathecholamine. The computed tomography showed a right adrenal tumor suggesting a pheochromocytoma. The adrenalectomy was realised by transabdominal approach and the histological examination confirmed a benign pheochromocytoma. The authors discuss the pathogenetic hypothesis of this rare pathological association, the diagnostic methods and the therapeutic procedure.