Pheochromocytoma Discovered Incidentally at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé (Togo)

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of pheocytochroma is often late compared to the appearance of symptoms, sources of morbidity and even mortality. However, pheochromocytoma can be discovered incidentally during a pathology unrelated to the tumor. Case report: We report a case revealed by acute viral hepatitis B. It's a young subject hospitalized in the internal medicine department of the Sylvanus OlympioTeaching Hospital in Lome. This is a 22-year-old patient, professional driver with no known pathological history, admitted for headache, muscle aches and asthenia associated with abdominal pain and postprandial vomiting in a febrile context. In admission, clinical examination revealed high blood pressure (BP=190/140mmHg), a deterioration in general condition, jaundice and painful hepatomegaly. The biological assessment revealed a cholestatic cytolysis syndrome (AST: 48.24N, ALT: 42.23N, PAL: 1.06N, Gamma GT: 3.84N, total bilirubin: 31.4N, direct bilirubin: 89, 6N). The serological assessment revealed acute viral hepatitis B (HbsAg positive and anti-Hbc antibodies type IgM positive, HIV and hepatitis C serologies negative). An abdominal ultrasound noted homogeneous hepatomegaly without dilatation of the portal trunk or bile ducts. Faced with this hypertension in a 22-year-old, secondary hypertension was considered and abdominal CT revealed a pheochromocytoma. Conclusion: Pheochromocytoma is not uncommon in our circles. It should always be considered in the present of high blood pressing in young subject.