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Silent Adrenal Pheochromocytoma Coexistent with Corticomedullary Hyperplasia: A Case Incidentally Discovered
Luigi Petramala1, Antonio Concistrè1, Federica Olmati1
1Specialized Center of Secondary Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University "Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Introduction:
Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is a rare catecholamine-producing tumour arising from chromaffin cells in the sympatho-adrenal system, and can present as asymptomatic adrenal incidentaloma (AI).
Patient:
We describe the case of a 61-year-old woman with a right adrenal mass incidentally discovered, who was biochemically characterized with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). The patient was scheduled for adrenalectomy because of increasing seizure of the right adrenal gland with a haemorrhagic and focal pseudocystic appearance macroscopically, incidental histological and immunohistochemical PHEO, and micronodular cortico-adrenal hyperplasia.
Discussion:
This report describes a rare case of incidental non-functioning PHEO coexisting with corticomedullary hyperplasia and SH.
Learning Points:
Rare presentation of coexisting common (adrenal incidentaloma and subclinical Cushing's syndrome) and uncommon (pheochromocytoma) endocrinological conditions.
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