Pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis successfully treated by emergency surgery: report of a case

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that produce symptoms through the excess release of catecholamines. The treatment of choice is a complete surgical removal after pretreatment with an α-blocker, to prevent dangerous hemodynamic fluctuations. Newell and colleagues defined the rare, fatal condition of catecholamine crisis, which includes multiple organ failure (MOF), severe blood pressure variability, high fever, and encephalopathy, as pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis (PMC). The indications for emergency surgery in this unstable state still remain controversial. This report presents the case of a 52-year-old female patient with PMC who successfully underwent a surgical resection. This case showed that early tumor removal may be the only means of halting the progression of this disease.