[Pheochromocytoma in pregnancy. Clinical course and therapy]

A case of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy is reported and the literature is reviewed: Maternal mortality of 48% and fetal mortality of 55% was found when pheochromocytoma complicated a pregnancy. The fact is stressed, that this high mortality could be reduced by an earlier diagnosis. In our patient the diagnosis was established in the 33rd week of gestation by means of elevated levels of urinary vanillinmandelic acids and catecholamines. It was possible to maintain pregnancy until the 38th week of gestation under treatment with phenoxybenzamin. Two weeks prior to term a healthy girl was delivered by cesarean section. Two weeks later laparotomy was performed and the tumor removed.