Pheochromocytoma associated with prior carotid body tumors (chemodectomas). Detection with I-131 MIBG

Chemodectomas (carotid body tumors) were surgically removed on two occasions, first 10 years and then 3 months prior to detection with I-131 MIBG of an adrenal pheochromocytoma in a 32-year-old man with a family history of chemodectoma. Recent reports suggest patients with multiple and/or familial instances of chemodectoma frequently have associated catecholamine-secreting tumors detectable with I-131 or I-123 MIBG. This case documents the above association and suggests that any patient with proven carotid body tumor(s) be screened for catecholamine-secreting tumors via urinary/plasma catecholamine determinations.