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Updated: May 21, 2026
09:57
Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
Undiagnosed phaeochromocytoma masquerading as eclampsia
Joanne Petrie1, Christopher Lockie, Alex Paolineli
1Department of Anaesthetics, Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge, UK.
BMJ Case Reports
|June 6, 2012
Summary
A hypertensive crisis and seizure post-cesarean section in a 34-year-old woman was initially presumed eclamptic. Diagnosis revealed a pheochromocytoma, successfully treated with alpha/beta blockade and surgical excision.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Background:
- Presents a rare case of a previously healthy 34-year-old woman experiencing hypertensive crisis and seizure post-cesarean section.
- Highlights the diagnostic challenge in differentiating postpartum eclampsia from other hypertensive emergencies.
Observation:
- Initial management with magnesium and labetalol for presumed eclampsia led to complications including profound hypotension and biventricular failure.
- Abdominal ultrasound identified a left suprarenal mass, prompting further investigation.
Findings:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and urinary assays confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.
- The patient was stabilized using alpha and beta-adrenergic blockade, enabling successful tumor resection.
Implications:
- Successful surgical excision of the pheochromocytoma led to normalization of cardiac function and complete recovery.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare endocrine tumors in postpartum hypertensive emergencies.
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