[Anesthesiologic peculiarities in bilateral pheochromocytoma and suspected multiple endocrine neoplasia]

Based on a case report with surgical removal of bilateral giant phaeochromocytomas with heredofamilial affliction and suspicion of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II (MEN-II syndrome) and of malignancy, the anaesthetic implications are discussed in a patient inadvertently not prepared by antiadrenergic treatment. It is pointed out that in MEN II syndrome, a combination of phaeochromocytoma and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, surgical removal of the phaeochromocytoma merits utmost priority before thyreoidectomy. The most important laboratory parameters in the diagnosis of MEN II syndrome are pre- and postoperative determinations of calcitonin and carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA).