Pheochromocytoma presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma is a rare form of secondary hypertension and may be potentially lethal if left untreated. The classical symptoms are paroxysmal hypertension, headaches, palpitations and sweating. They are caused by sudden catecholamine release. Hyperglycemia is reported in some patients with pheochromocytoma but diabetic ketoacidosis is an extremely rare complication of pheochromocytoma with only four cases reported. We report a case of a young woman with pheochromocytoma manifested as diabetic ketoacidosis.