Pheochromocytoma of the organ of Zuckerkandl presenting as shock.

A patient with unusual manifestations of pheochromocytoma, together with a relatively rare localization of the tumor in the organ of Zuckerkandl, is presented. There was a sharp fall in blood pressure to shock levels and transient severe cardiomyopathy, as evidenced by ECG changes, all of which disappeared postoperatively. We suggest several explanations for these unusual manifestations.