Pheochromocytoma presenting as a mimic of acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Chest pain with elevated serum troponin is a common clinical presentation and is normally managed as suspected myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We report a 49 year old man who presented with central chest pain sweating and breathlessness. He had a significantly elevated serum troponin I level and a subsequent angiogram showed near normal coronary arteries. He was subsequently investigated for fever and found to have a 3cm right sided adrenal mass consistent with a pheochromocytoma. After confirmation and appropriate blockade laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Pheochromocytoma may present as a mimic of acute coronary syndrome but this is often unrecognized and leaves the patient at risk of future pheo crisis events which may be fatal.