A rare cause of acute abdomen: ruptured adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the chromaffin cells which secretes catecholamines and 90% of it originates from adrenal medulla. The main symptoms and signs are hypertension, tachycardia, sweating and headache. Rarely, acute abdomen may occur as a result of the rupture of tumoral mass or bleeding inside the mass. Here we present a 43 year old male patient who applied with acute abdominal syndrome and severe hypertension. Abdominal MRI showed a large mass hemorrhagic in nature above the right kidney. At laparotomy, ruptured adrenal mass was seen and excised successfully. The histological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis as pheochromocytoma. Ruptured adrenal pheochromocytoma is a mortal situation potentially and it should be considered in patients who present with an acute abdominal syndrome and hypertension or shock. It should be known that early diagnosis and surgery with proper preoperative treatment is a life saver.