Khan Jawad, Mahmood Malik Furqan, Abbas Mudassar, Ejaz Aleena, Riaz Eman
Urology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, PAK.
Acute Medicine, St. George's University Hospital, London, GBR.
Cureus. 2025 Jun 12;17(6):e85885. doi: 10.7759/cureus.85885. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors of the adrenal medulla, and bilateral involvement is especially uncommon in the absence of a hereditary syndrome. We present the case of a 38-year-old female who presented with bilateral flank pain, excessive sweating, and palpitations. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations revealed elevated blood pressure and markedly increased serum metanephrines and normetanephrines. Imaging identified large bilateral adrenal masses with features suggestive of pheochromocytomas. A multidisciplinary team opted for a staged surgical approach: a left adrenalectomy followed by a right cortical-sparing adrenalectomy. The patient was adequately prepared preoperatively with alpha- and beta-blockers to reduce the risk of intraoperative hypertensive crisis. Histopathology confirmed pheochromocytoma in both adrenal glands. Postoperative management included steroid replacement therapy and regular monitoring of adrenal hormone levels to assess the functionality of the remaining adrenal tissue. Genetic testing was offered to assess for underlying genetic causes, but was declined by the patient. This case illustrates the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary care in managing bilateral pheochromocytomas, with emphasis on preserving adrenal function and ensuring long-term surveillance.
嗜铬细胞瘤是肾上腺髓质的罕见肿瘤,在无遗传综合征的情况下双侧受累尤其罕见。我们报告一例38岁女性病例,该患者表现为双侧胁腹痛、多汗和心悸。临床检查和实验室检查显示血压升高,血清间甲肾上腺素和去甲间甲肾上腺素显著升高。影像学检查发现双侧肾上腺有大肿块,具有嗜铬细胞瘤的特征。一个多学科团队选择了分期手术方法:先进行左肾上腺切除术,然后进行保留右侧肾上腺皮质的肾上腺切除术。术前用α和β受体阻滞剂对患者进行了充分准备,以降低术中高血压危象的风险。组织病理学证实双侧肾上腺均为嗜铬细胞瘤。术后管理包括类固醇替代治疗和定期监测肾上腺激素水平,以评估剩余肾上腺组织的功能。提供了基因检测以评估潜在的遗传原因,但患者拒绝了。该病例说明了个体化多学科护理在双侧嗜铬细胞瘤管理中的重要性,重点是保留肾上腺功能并确保长期监测。