Phaeochromocytoma in a 86-year-old patient presenting with reversible myocardial dysfunction

BACKGROUND. Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare, mostly benign catecholamine-producing tumours of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or of extra-adrenal paraganglia. Phaeochromocytoma may occur at any age, the greatest frequency being in the fourth and fifth decades. Only on extremely rare occasions does the tumour develop in the very old patients. METHODS. We are describing an 86-year-old patient with phaeochromocytoma, presenting with reversible myocardial dysfunction. RESULTS. This very old patient with phaeochromocytoma had hypertension characterized by labile blood pressure values and increased daytime blood pressure variability. This patient exhibited reversible myocardial dysfunction suggestive for "catecholaminergic cardiomyopathy", as the complication of phaeochromocytoma. After surgical removal of the tumour, recovery of left ventricular function was documented by echocardiography showing normalization of systolic function and improvement of diastolic function. CONCLUSION. Phaeochromocytomas are rare forms of secondary hypertension, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis, regardless of age, even in very old patients.