Pheochromocytoma and stenosis of the renal artery

Stenosis of the renal artery and pheochromocytoma, although appearing to be singularly rare co-existing entities, have been reported in greater than 25 publications. In an experience of surgically treating more than 500 patients with renal artery stenosis, the author has encountered the dual pathologic condition in four patients. Interestingly, each of these patients represented a different aspect of the coexisting conditions. One instance of compression of the renal artery by a rather large pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland, one instance of co-existing stenosis of the renal artery and an ipsilateral noncompressing pheochromocytoma, one instance of bilateral renal artery stenosis, probably caused by chronic catecholamine induced arterial spasm, and one instance each of neurofibromatosis, renal artery stenosis and pheochromocytoma comprise the content of this report. The author speculates as to the possible role of chronic catecholamine release and the development of a chronic spasm of the renal artery resulting in morphologic stenosis.