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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
06:08
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Phaeochromocytoma mimicking scleroderma.
Joan Joo-Ching Khoo1, Edward John Pratt
1Department of Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889.
International Journal of Endocrinology
|March 23, 2011
Summary
Adrenal phaeochromocytoma can mimic systemic sclerosis symptoms like vasospasm. Surgical removal of the phaeochromocytoma resolved these scleroderma-like features, suggesting a link.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Phaeochromocytoma, a rare adrenal tumor, can cause diverse clinical manifestations due to excess catecholamine secretion.
- Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities.
Observation:
- A patient presented with peripheral vasospasm, ischemia, and other symptoms resembling systemic sclerosis.
- These clinical features were observed in the context of an undiagnosed adrenal phaeochromocytoma.
Findings:
- Resection of the adrenal phaeochromocytoma led to the complete resolution of the patient's vasospastic and ischemic symptoms.
- The patient's presentation mimicked systemic sclerosis but was negative for relevant auto-antibodies.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering phaeochromocytoma in the differential diagnosis of patients with scleroderma-like symptoms, especially when auto-antibodies are absent.
- Early diagnosis and surgical management of phaeochromocytoma can prevent severe vascular complications and improve patient outcomes.
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