[Continuous phentolamine perfusion in the treatment of severe arterial hypertension associated with neuroblastoma].

Treatment of severe arterial hypertension associated with neuroblastoma is not well discussed in the literature. A six-month-old boy was referred for evaluation of an abdominal mass which proved to be neuroblastoma stage IV. Arterial hypertension of 26/16 kPa (190/110 mmHg) was also found. Because of the degree of malignancy and the risk of intra-tumoral haemorrhage, urgent management of the hypertension was required before proceeding to surgery. Phentolamine, a short-acting alpha-blocking agent, was administered as a continuous infusion of a 0.01 per cent solution, at a rate of 1 to 4 microgram X kg-1 X min-1 titrated according to the arterial blood pressure (BP), central venous pressure and urinary output. BP was rapidly controlled and the child went to surgery within 48 hours. The operation was uneventful but only 80 per cent of the tumour could be resected. Phentolamine was discontinued intraoperatively but was reinstituted postoperatively when hypertension recurred. With the return of normal intestinal function five days after surgery, phenoxybenzamine was begun p.o. and phentolamine was tapered over 24 hours and discontinued. A continuous infusion of phentolamine provided satisfactory control pre- and post-operatively with no significant hypotension. We consider this technique to be potentially very useful in the management of severe arterial hypertension associated with neuroblastoma, as it permits early surgical intervention under optimal conditions.