April - June 2015, Volume 11, Issue 2

Yalin GY, Uzum A, Selcukbiricik O, Yegen G, Gul N, Barbaros U, Yarman S

Management of Silent Cystic Pheochromocytomas with Benign or Malignant Histology

Acta Endo (Buc) 2015, 11 (2): 195-201
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2015.195

abdominal cystic lesions should include investigation of cystic pheochromocytomas. To date only a few cases of purely cystic pheochromocytoma have been reported in the English literature. Aim. To present the management in four cases of silent pheochromocytomas patients who presented with pure or partially cystic abdominal lesions with benign (n:3) and malignant characteristics (nonspecific neuroendocrine tumor) (n:1) in histological evaluation. Results. Resection of the tumor is considered the primary treatment option in the management of pheochromocytoma, and preoperative preparation with alpha and beta antagonists is crucial in order to avoid precipitation of hypertensive crisis during surgical procedures. The absence of clinical symptoms and lack of typical radiological features may complicate the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma resulting with increased mortality and morbidity during surgery. Conclusion. Asymptomatic pheochromocytomas are rare and they are responsible for approximately 5% of adrenal incidentalomas. These lesions may be referred to surgery as clinically nonfunctional adrenal adenomas.

Keywords: pheochromocytoma, alpha antagonists, surgery.

Correspondence: Gulsah Yenidunya Yalin MD, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Capa Istanbul 34093, Turkey, E-mail: gulsah_y@hotmail.com