Successful diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma during severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a case report

Endocr J. 2023 Mar 28;70(3):259-265. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ22-0446. Epub 2022 Nov 15.

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma is a rare but life-threatening condition due to catecholamine release induced by drug treatments such as β-blockers or glucocorticoids. We present a case of hypertensive crisis due to pheochromocytoma, induced after the initiation of dexamethasone and landiolol during intensive care for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on a detailed medical history review, the patient was previously diagnosed with primary aldosteronism by confirmatory tests, moreover, an abdominal computed tomography scan identified an adrenal tumor 2 years before current admission. We tentatively diagnosed the patient with pheochromocytoma and initiated α-blockers without conducting a catecholamine report, leading to stable hemodynamics. We present a successfully managed case of pheochromocytoma concomitant with COVID-19, which has become a global crisis.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Hypertensive crisis; Paraganglioma; Pheochromocytoma; Primary aldosteronism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / complications
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / therapy
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Catecholamines
  • Humans
  • Pheochromocytoma* / complications
  • Pheochromocytoma* / diagnosis
  • Pheochromocytoma* / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Catecholamines