Modern imaging methods and preoperative management of pheochromocytoma: review of the literature and case report

Abstract

Objectives: To discuss the modern imaging techniques and preoperative management of pheochromocytoma and to report on one additional case.

Methods: A 66-year-old male with an incidentally discovered left adrenal mass is described. The adrenal medulla strongly accumulate 131 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). The patient underwent left adrenalectomy after preoperative therapy with alpha and beta-blockers. The recent literature on pheochromocytoma modern imaging techniques and preoperative management is reviewed.

Results: MIBG scintigraphy diagnosed a benign functioning adrenal pheochromocytoma, allowing preoperative medical management. Postoperative workup was unremarkable. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by immunohistopathology. At 18 months follow-up, the patient is alive and disease-free.

Conclusions: Incidentally discovered adrenal masses have to be investigated to detect malignancy and subtle hormonal overproduction. MIBG scintigraphy has a high specificity (100%) in detecting pheochromocytoma, metastasis, surgical residual tumor, local relapse and other adrenal crest tumors. Positive results of octreotide scintigraphy in detecting malignant pheochromocytoma have been reported. Currently, pheochromocytoma removal is a safe operation with mortality rates ranging from 0 to less than 3%. Preoperative alpha adrenergic blockage with phenoxybenzamine or prazosin is important in decreasing the operative risk. Beta-blockers may be necessary for cardiac arrhythmia. Intraoperative invasive monitoring of hemodynamic variables may be both diagnostic and therapeutic of inadequate preoperative management. Lifelong follow-up for patients with pheochromocytoma is important.