A Clinical Case of Pheochromocytoma Presenting with Decompensated Diabetes Mellitus and Paroxysmal Hypertension

Introduction: Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that originates from the adrenal medulla, less commonly from extraadrenal chromaffin cells (paraganglioma). In about 90% of cases, the tumor produces abnormal amounts of catecholamines. Pheochromocytomas are usually benign, but in rare cases can be malignant. Typical clinical manifestations are the result of the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of catecholamines and usually include paroxysmal hypertension with the classic triad (headache, excessive sweating, palpitations), carbohydrate disorders, etc. Elevated levels of catecholamine metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine) tested in plasma or in 24-hour urine confirm the diagnosis. Surgical removal of the tumor is the only radical treatment. Follow-up of patients postoperatively should be lifelong and performed by a multidisciplinary team in a specialized center of expertise. Case report: A 36-year-old female patient referred to the clinic for decompensated diabetes mellitus. Detailed history revealed paroxysmal hypertension and the classic triad of pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by high urinary metanephrine levels and an abdominal CT scan, showing a tumor in the right adrenal gland with features typical of pheochromocytoma. Surgical removal of the pheochromocytoma and normalization of catecholamine levels led to normalization of blood pressure and reversal of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion(s): Pheochromocytoma is a difficult diagnosis in endocrinology practice as it can mimic many other diseases. Early detection and surgical removal of the tumor are crucial to avoid complications caused by elevated serum catecholamine levels.Copyright © 2022 Medical Information Center. All rights reserved.

METASTATIC BLADDER PARAGANGLIOMA WITH UNDERLYING SHDB MUTATION

Introduction Phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare tumors with up to 40% associated with inherited germline mutations. SHDB mutation is associated with an increased risk of metastasis. Case A 36-year-old male presented with hypertensive emergency. He was diagnosed to have a bladder paraganglioma at age 32 when he presented with hypertensive crisis. Ga-68 DOTANOC PET/CT scan then showed a localized 4.7 x 5.3 cm bladder paraganglioma and he underwent complete surgical resection with resolution of his symptoms. Genetic testing done showed SHDB, deletion (exon 1), heterogenous pathogenic variant. He remained asymptomatic and was lost to follow-up due to COVID-19 until his recent admission. During this admission, he had labile blood pressure with symptoms of palpitations and lethargy. He was found to have a 4.3x elevated urine normetanephrine (1639 ug/day, N<374.7). Metanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine levels were normal. His blood pressure was controlled with phenoxybenzamine 20 mg TDS (1 mg/kg), telmisartan 40 mg OM and carvedilol 25 mg BD with improvement in his symptoms. Subsequent anatomical imaging with CT and functional imaging with Ga-68 DOTATATE showed a small recurrence at the bladder wall with metastatic lesions at the left sacral ala measuring 4.5 x 5.1 cm, and multiple lytic lesions over the spine, ribs and also the left acetabulum with the highest uptake of Ga-68 DOTATATE at the C2 vertebra (SUV max 93). He is now planned for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). SHDB mutation is associated with a higher risk of metastatic disease which has remained unexplained. Treatment for metastatic disease include surgical resection where possible, targeted therapy such as PRRT, meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy, radiotherapy and also systemic therapy such as chemotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Conclusion Patients with PPGL, especially those with SHDB mutation, require monitoring at regular intervals to screen and detect metastasis to reduce mortality and morbidity.

Role of Dexmedetomidine in Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma

The prevalence of Pheochromocytoma in pat ient with hypertension is 0.1 -0.6%. These types of tumours are known for unpredictable perioperative course and hemodynamic instability. Various different drugs and anaesthesia techniques can be used to tackle these situations. Dexmedetomidine is emerged as newer agent with better hemodynamic stability, reducing requirement of other anaesthesia drugs, blunting of sympathoadrenal response in resection of Pheochromocytoma. We report four cases operated between January 2021 to June 2021.Preoperative preparation was done with α and β blockade. Dexmedetomidine was used during induction as 1 mcg/kg over 10 mins followed by 0.7mcg/kg/hr intraoperatively. Combination of Dexmedetomidine, Fentanyl, NTG, Isoflurane and Epidural analgesia was used. IF needed boluses of Esmolol and Labetalol were used during tumor manipulation. All the patients had an uneventful perioperative course. Dexmedetomidine with pre-operative α and β blockade reduce the need of other drugs intraoperatively and can be used as anaesthetic adjunct to maintain steady hemodynamic.

COVID-19 pneumonia in a child. A surprise finding

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) tends to be milder in children, but severe cases have been reported. We described a case report of a toddler admitted to our department with additional findings, highlighting the importance of assessing the patient as a whole. Case Presentation: A previously healthy, 15-month-year-old girl presented with fever and dry cough for 10 days, respiratory distress and PCR SARS-CoV-2 was positive. At admission, she presented with hypoxemia (SpO2 89-90% in room air), global retraction and bilateral bronchospasm. She was treated with bronchodilators, methylprednisolone, remdesivir and also amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Her complete blood count revealed leucocytosis 16,160x109/L, 41% lymphocytes, C-reactive protein 57,9 mg/L, procalcitonin 0,13 ng/mL, sedimentation rate 44 mm/h, ferritin 218,4 ng/mL. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed bilateral peripheral areas of ground glass, coexisting consolidation areas at inferior lobes but also revealed a 6 cm supra-renal mass. Abdominal ultrasound and CT confirmed an heterogeneous right supra-renal gland mass of 5,5cm along the greatest diameter with diffuse calcifications, evolving the inferior vena cava and the renal vascular pedicle, no signs of liver, bone, cutaneous or ganglionic metastization. These features were suggestive of neuroblastoma in stage L2. Vanillylmandelic acid, normetanephrine/creatinine ratio and metanephrine/creatinine ratio were elevated. The metaiodobenzylguanidine (Mibg) scan showed a localized disease. The total excision of the tumour mass was performed, and the histology confirmed neuroblastoma with no N-myc oncogene amplification, nor other bad prognosis chromosomal abnormalities. She is currently under oncological surveillance, with no signs of recurrence. Learning Points Discussion: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour of childhood. It is known for its broad spectrum of clinical behaviour and outcome. In this case, although this toddler was admitted due to COVID-19 pneumonia, it allowed to identify a localized tumour, perform excision and due to the favourable biology tumour, she has a very good chances of being cured and free of disease.