[Pseudopheochromocytoma in Parkinson disease and depression]

We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with parkinson's disease and depression. Her symptoms included episodes of flushing, palpitations and hypertension, giving rise to the suspicion of the existence of a phaeochromocytoma. The levels of adrenaline and vanillymandelic acid in the urine were moderately elevated, the noradrenaline level was high-normal. Upon further examination, there was no evidence of a phaeochromocytoma or a carcinoid tumor. In the literature, there are reports of pseudophaeochromocytoma in patients receiving levodopa. Elevated levels of catecholamins and their metabolites can be caused by the metabolic process of levodopa and levodopa can influence the outcome of laboratory tests. The patient's depression resolved and the flushing disappeared after treatment with antidepressants and after changing the Parkinson regime.