Bilateral pheochromcytomas presenting as shock: A rare case report

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are rare chromaffin cell tumors of adrenal medulla (90%) that secrete catecholamines. Among children, the average age of presentation is 11–13 years, with a male preponderance of 2:1. Symptoms may be caused by catecholamine overproduction, local pressure, or metastasis. Sustained hypertension is the most common symptom. Elevated circulating catecholamines can cause cardiovascular alterations such as coronary vasospasm, ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, and dilated cardiomyopathy, precipitating in cardiogenic shock. We present a rare case of cardiogenic shock as the initial presentation of a bilateral pheochromocytoma in a child.