Effects of sodium nitroprusside during the excision of phaeochromocytoma

A case report is presented which illustrates the use of sodium nitroprusside to control blood pressure levels during neurolept anaesthetic technique for removal of phaeochromocytoma. In this case the evanescent action of nitroprusside was advantageous since when the drug was discontinued elevation of blood pressure gave rise to suspicion that further catecholamine-secreting tumour was present. In all, four such tumours were removed from this patient.