Multiple organ failure secondary to multiple organism bacteraemia associated with intestinal ischaemia in a patient with a phaeochromocytoma

Abstract

Phaeochromocytomas are rare catecholamine secreting tumours that usually present as paroxysms of hypertension associated with headache, palpitations and sweating. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with a phaeochromocytoma who presented with sudden onset of hypertension, syncope, and fever who later developed a multiple-organ failure secondary to a multiple organism bacteraemias due to transient episodes of intestinal ischaemia. After receiving full intensive care support, antibiotics and tumour removal, the patient made a complete recovery and he is at present doing well. This case illustrates that high concentrations of catecholamine secreted by a phaeochromocytoma might cause multiple organ failure syndrome secondary to multiple organism bacteraemias due to transient episodes of intestinal ischaemia.

Figure 1

Upper panel: abdominal ultrasound showing a phaeochromocytoma measuring 6.5×6.0 cm in diameter (white and black arrows). Lower panel: abdominal computed tomography scan showing a well defined mass (white arrows) corresponding to a phaeochromocytoma.

Figure 2

Macroscopic appearance of the excised phaeochromocytoma (left). Its size is comparable to a tennis ball (right).