[Pheochromocytoma and pregnancy. A case report]

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor originating in the chromaffin cells. These tumors secrete catecholamines which act on target organs and cause hypertensive crises. They are rare during pregnancy, and a differential diagnosis must be carried out mainly with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

A 22-year-old patient in week 11.5 of pregnancy presented at the Hospital General Dr. Miguel Silva in Morelia, Michoacán with hypertension that had existed for more than two years with poor adherence to treatment. At the time of referral to our unit she presented a hypertensive crisis that had been unresponsive to all antihypertensive treatments. Following the establishment of a study protocol, a diagnosis of posterior left adrenal pheochromocytoma was made. After subsequent pharmacological treatment with alpha and beta blockers, a left adrenalectomy was performed. The patient did not require antihypertensive treatment following surgery. The histopathological report indicates the presence of a nodular and vascularized left adrenal gland weighing 25 g and measuring 5 x 4 x 3.5 cm. Gland consistency was soft, and the presence of cystic lesions in parenchymal tissue was noted. A yellowish-brown color and sponge-like appearance were also present. Such features support a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The pregnancy continued normally until week 32, when the patient presented to our department with active-phase preterm labor. A Cesarean section was performed with the delivery of a live female weighing 1400 gr. The infant is currently alive and well.

Thus, it is important that obstetrician knows this disease and its management during pregnancy; so we present this case report.