[Intrapericardial pheochromocytoma: a case report and review of the literature].

A patient with intrapericardial pheochromocytoma is presented and the literature on this subject is reviewed. The patient was a 45-year-old housewife who was first referred to Keio University hospital in February 1981 for a 6-year-history of headaches, palpitations and excessive sweating. An episode of hypertensive crisis was observed during surgery for myoma uteri 3 months before her admission. On physical examination, the patient was a normal-appearing, pleasant woman. Supine blood pressure was 130/80 mmHg and standing blood pressure was 124/72 mmHg. Results of routine laboratory studies (including fasting serum glucose and calcium determinations and thyroid function tests) were normal. A 24-hour-urine collection showed VMA level of 10.5 mg and noradrenaline of 809 micrograms. Also repeated measurements of plasma noradrenaline on supine position revealed averages of 2.45 ng/ml. These high levels of catecholamines, clinical manifestations, and provocative tests including a metoclopramide test were strongly suggestive of pheochromocytoma, and further studies for determination of the localization were performed. Results of computed tomography (CT), adrenal scintigraphy using 131I-adosterol and selective venous sampling for catecholamines were equivocal. Then she was followed in an outpatient clinic and treated with alpha- and beta-blocker. In October 1985, she was readmitted to our hospital because of paroxysms which had gradually increased in frequency and severity. Extensive venous sampling in order to determine the localization of the tumor was performed after demonstration of an increased uptake area in the anterior thorax in 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Further, an anterior mediastinal mass was identified in the CT scan of the chest with contrast material. Finally, a thoracic angiogram revealed that the tumor was highly vascular and was fed by the branch of the left internal mammary artery. In January 1986, the patient underwent middle sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass. A 4.5 by 3.5 by 3.0 cm soft, dark brown tumor was found on the anterior surface of the heart and excised without difficulty. The tumor seemed to arise from the root of the aorta and main pulmonary artery, and extended inferiorly over the anterior surface of the right ventricle. It was also fed by branches of the right coronary artery. Histologically, the resected tumor was compatible with pheochromocytoma. The tumor content of noradrenaline was 3.34 mg/g wet tissue; however, adrenaline and dopamine were not detected. The postoperative course was uneventful.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)