Hassan Niroomand
1, Atoosa Bagheri-Behzad
2, Eghlim Nemati
3*, Mehrdad Taghipour
3, Mohsen Motalebi
31 Department of Urology, Emam Reza Hospital, Army University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Gynecology, Women’s General Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma is a tumor which originates from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or the sympathetic ganglia. This tumor secrets a high amount of catecholamine and metabolites, causing hypertension crisis with headache, tachycardia, sweating and flushing (classic triad of pheochromocytoma). However, in some cases the disease may cause atypical symptoms or may be asymptomatic. The presented patient is a 34-year-old man who referred to our clinic with left flank pain. He had a history of falling from height. In the primary physical examination, a large mass in the abdominal left upper quadrant was palpated. After diagnostic evaluation malignant pheochromocytoma was detected. The patient was discharged on the fourth day after surgery. Malignant pheochromocytoma can presented with atypical symptoms or can be asymptomatic.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
Pheochromocytoma is a tumor in medulla region of adrenal gland which cause hypertension, headache and tachycardia. The presented patient is a 34-year-old man who referred to our clinic with left flank pain. He had a history of falling from height. In the primary physical examination, a large mass in the abdominal left upper quadrant was palpated. After diagnostic evaluation malignant pheochromocytoma was detected. The patient was discharged on the fourth day after surgery. Malignant pheochromocytoma can presented with atypical symptoms or can be asymptomatic.
Please cite this paper as: Niroomand H, Bagheri-Behzad A, Nemati E, Taghipour M, Motalebi M. Flank pain after minor trauma as the initial manifestation of malignant pheochromocytoma; a case report. J Nephropharmacol. 2015;4(2):75-77.