Pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIB and pyelonephritis.

Abstract

A patient with pyelonephritis developed multiorgan failure resulting in death. Clinical findings were consistent with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II, with bilateral pheochromocytomas identified by computed tomography scan. We hypothesize that either the infection or the administration of radiocontrast media led to a massive release of catecholamines from the pheochromocytomas. As a result, tissue perfusion was severely compromised, and multiorgan failure developed. This exceedingly rare complication of pheochromocytoma has been termed pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis.

• Authors: Christopher Caputo, Steven Fishbane, Lawrence Shapiro, Robert G Courgi, Stefan Kostadinov, Virginia Donovan, David Epstein
• Journal: American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation (Am J Kidney Dis) Vol. 39 Issue 6 Pg. E23 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 1523-6838 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 12046054 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Chemical References

• Catecholamines

Topics

• Adrenal Gland Neoplasms (blood, complications, pathology)
• Carcinoma, Medullary (pathology)
• Catecholamines (blood)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b (pathology)
• Multiple Organ Failure (etiology)
• Neoplasms, Multiple Primary (pathology)
• Pheochromocytoma (blood, complications, pathology)
• Pyelonephritis (complications, pathology)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (pathology)