[Necrotic pheochromocytoma presenting with shock and abdominal pain]

Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor, the diagnosis of which is based on a history of hypertension, and symptoms, signs and laboratory data associated with increased release of catecholamines. The combination of pheochromocytoma and shock is uncommon, but when it does occur, is often associated with necrosis of the tumor. We report an unusual case of a patient whose clinical findings suggested fulminating septic shock. Only at postmortem was the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma made.