[An incidentally found asymptomatic pheochromocytoma: a case report--successful removal laparoscopic adrenalectomy]

A 31-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for further examination of a right adrenal mass, which was incidentally discovered by abdominal ultra-sonography in another hospital. The adrenaline and noradrenaline in the plasma and the adrenaline and VMA in the urine were slightly elevated, and catecholamines in the blood from the right adrenal vein were markedly increased. Glucose tolerance test showed a borderline case. Otherwise, there was no clinical sign. Asymptomatic pheochromocytoma originating from the right adrenal gland was suspected in the preoperative diagnosis. Laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was performed. Although the blood pressure was stable preoperatively, paroxysmal hypertension was observed during the tumor manipulation. Blood pressure was well controlled during the operation with ATP, nitroglycerin and phentolamine. Blood loss was less than 150ml, and there was no surgical complication. The resected tumor specimen was 32[28[33mm in size, weighed 14g, and histological examination showed typical pheochromocytoma. The post-operative course was unremarkable and glucose tolerance test was normalized after the operation. This is the first case of the successful removal of pheochromocytoma using the laparoscopic procedure.