Cardiac pheochromocytoma. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of intrapericardial pheochromocytoma which secreted predominantly norepinephrine is reported. A tumor at the posterior wall of the left atrium was demonstrated by computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging scan. Tumor blush arising from the left circumflex branch was visualized by coronary angiography. The tumor (4 x 3.5 x 2 cm) was resected with adherent atrial wall and the defect reconstructed with the patients own pericardium under general anesthesia with artificial cardiopulmonary bypass. His subsequent postoperative recovery was uneventful. At the time of discharge, 8 weeks after operation, his blood pressure and plasma norepinephrine remained normal. The value of magnetic resonance imaging scan for the topographic diagnosis of cardiac pheochromocytoma is emphasized.