A case of pheochromocytoma with acute pancreatitis and catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine producing tumor. The features that suggest pheochromocytoma in hypertensive patients are paroxysmal headache, palpitation and excessive sweating. Also, specific catecholamine induced dilated cardiomyopathy and acute pancreatitis have been rarely suggested. We recently experienced a case in which pheochromocytoma manifested as both catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy and acute pancreatitis. A 64-year-old man presented with acute abdomen and ischemic ST-segment changes on EKG. While abdominal pain and elevated P-type amylase on laboratory data suggested acute pancreatitis, rapid recovery of severely depressed left ventricular systolic function suggested a reversible type of cardiomyopathy. Subsequent abdominal CT scan and hormone assays revealed a pheochromocytoma in the left suprarenal area. To the best of our knowledge, the concurrent occurrence of acute pancreatitis and catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy in a patient with pheochromocytoma has not been previously reported.