Phaeochromocytoma presenting with diabetes

Abstract

A 42 year old man presented with a three month history of thirst, polyuria and balanitis. Blood glucose on diet alone varied between 14 and 21 mmol/L. Blood pressure was 180/110. Further history revealed that he had been troubled by sweating and headaches for two years. Urinary VMAs and catecholamines were elevated and a CT Scan revealed an adrenal tumour. Pre‐operative treatment with phenoxybenzamine and atenolol had no effect on his diabetes. Glucose tolerance returned to normal after surgical removal of the phaeochromocytoma. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.