Cyclic fluctuation of blood pressure in neonatal neuroblastoma

Abstract

Herein is described a case of neonatal neuroblastoma with cyclic blood pressure fluctuation and elevated catecholamines. The fluctuations stabilized after treatment with α-adrenergic blocker and the perioperative course was uneventful. The possibility of catecholamine-related symptoms including hypertension, heart failure, and blood pressure fluctuations should be considered in the treatment for neuroblastoma; if they are present, treatment with α-blockers is effective.

Perioperative management of hypertensive neuroblastoma: A study from the Italian Group of Pediatric Surgical Oncologists (GICOP)

“…Although the secretion of catecholamines may be increased in NB patients, HT and other symptoms of catecholamine excess frequently observed in pheochromocytoma have been reported in relatively few children with NB (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). This difference is probably owing to the presence of many storage granules in pheochromocytoma, which release large quantities of catecholamines, thereby causing HT.…”

“…Few studies have focused on the perioperative management of HT, and most of these have been case reports [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Both cardiac and neurological complications of HT have been described [10].…”