Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Pregnancy and pheochromocytoma are an important clinical picture in which the mother and fetus are under threat. Herein, we present a case diagnosed with pheochromocytoma in the follow-up of fetal mortality and maternal pulmonary edema after emergency postnatal caesarean section.

Case Report: Our case was a 32-year-old female, fetal distress was determined after hypertension and maternal hypoxemia in 26 weeks of gestation and emergency caesarean section was performed. The baby did not alive due to postpartum arrest and the mother could not be extubated because of hypoxemia. When the blood pressure and pulmonary edema were examined for the etiology, two masses of 3 cm and 5.5 cm were detected in the left surrenal gland. Blood catecholamines were found to be high and the patient was diagnosed as pheochromocytoma, and prepared to operation with alpha blocker, calcium channel blocker and beta blocker. Laparoscopic excision of the masses in the left adrenal region was completed without complication. Additionally, fine needle aspiration due to multinodular goiter and calcitonin elevation was followed up for multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Discussion: An unrecognized pheochromocytoma can result in loss of mother and / or infant during pregnancy. Pheochromocytoma should be suspected at any stage of pregnancy, especially in all pregnancies with paroxistic hypertension and / or familial history. Maternal and fetal complications should be prevented with proper preparation and surgery.