Phaeochromocytoma presenting as acute hyperamylasaemia and multiple organ failure

Abstract

Phaeochromocytoma may present in many different ways. We report an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma in a man with hyperamylasaemia and multiple organ failure thought to be due to acute relapsing pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasound and computerised tomography (CT) examinations revealed a mass at the tail of the pancreas. Fine needle biopsy of the mass precipitated headache, intense vasoconstriction and labile blood pressure. He proceeded to laparotomy, at which an 8 × 9 cm mass was found to be replacing the left adrenal gland. Histological examination revealed a phaeochromocytoma. This case illustrates that hyperamylasaemia and multiple organ failure may be unusual presentations of phaeochromocytoma and phaeochromocytoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a peripancreatic mass found by ultrasound or CT. © 1994 Canadian Anesthesiologists.