Pheochromocytoma associated with pregnancy is rare, with only 38 reported cases in Japan up so far to the present. In this paper, we describe a case of pheochromocytoma in a 26-year-old female during sixth week of her first pregnancy.
The patient was admitted to the gynecological department in our hospital because of hypertension and proteinuria. Medical regimen failed to control hypertension, then artificial abortion was performed with a diagnosis of toxemia of pregnancy. However, hypertension still remained after the procedures. Laboratory studies showed an increase in both adrenaline and noradrenaline in the serum and urine. Ultrasonography and CT scan demonstrated a 8×5cm mass in the left adrenal gland. With the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, left adrenalectomy was performed. Immediately after the surgery, serum cathecholamine level returned to normal. The tumor was histologically diagnosed as benign pheochromocytoma. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Current management of the patient with pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is discussed with a review of the literature.