A case of pheochromocytoma presenting as secondary hyperaldosteronism, hyperparathyroidism, diabetes and proteinuric renal disease

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011 Mar;26(3):1104-7. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfq747. Epub 2011 Jan 6.

Abstract

A 35-year-old woman was admitted to the Nephrology and Dialysis Unit of Pisa University for hypertension, hypokalaemia, renal impairment, proteinuria and hyperglycaemia. plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone were elevated, but Doppler ultrasound and angio-computed tomography (CT) of renal arteries were normal. Abdomen CT revealed only a left adrenal mass, and measurement of catecholamines suggested the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Biochemical findings suggestive of hyperparathyroidism were also detected, but a multiple endocrine disorder was excluded by genetic analysis. Pathology examination confirmed the pheochromocytoma and immunohistochemistry also showed positivity for parathyroid hormone. After surgery, disappearance of the symptoms and normalization of all haemodynamic and humoral parameters was observed. This is a rare case of pheochromocytoma responsible for secondary hyperaldosteronism, hyperparathyroidism, proteinuric renal disease and diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperaldosteronism / diagnosis
  • Hyperaldosteronism / etiology*
  • Hyperaldosteronism / surgery
  • Hyperparathyroidism / diagnosis
  • Hyperparathyroidism / etiology*
  • Hyperparathyroidism / surgery
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Hypertension / surgery
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology*
  • Kidney Diseases / surgery
  • Pheochromocytoma / complications*
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis
  • Prognosis
  • Proteinuria / diagnosis
  • Proteinuria / etiology*
  • Proteinuria / surgery