Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema as the first manifestation of pheochromocytoma: a case report.

We report here a case of pheochromocytoma presenting with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, which is an unusual first manifestation of pheochromocytoma. Chest radiograph showed diffuse consolitaion and ground-glass opacity on both lungs. Neither pleural effusion nor cardiomegaly was present. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed widespread ground-glass opacity with fine intralobular reticular opacity (so-called "crazy-paving" appearance) and consolidation in a strikingly dependent distribution. The areas of ground-glass opacity and consolidation were sharply marginated by interlobular septa, showing a geographic appearance. The pulmonary edema and dyspnea resolved over three days without cardioactive or diuretic treatment. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema is an unusual first manifestation of pheochromocytoma. It is important to recognize this unusual manifestation in the emergency situation.