The sympathetic neural hyperalgesia/edema syndrome, a common cause of female pelvic pain, manifesting as a pseudopheochromocytoma with marked clinical improvement with sympathomimetic amines.

OBJECTIVE

To show that a common but not well-known disorder of the sympathetic nervous system can present with symptoms suggesting a pheochromocytoma.

METHODS

The standard treatment of this disorder (which is characterized by an abnormal water load test), i.e., sympathomimetic amine therapy, was given to a woman with paroxysmal tachycardia and hypertension.

RESULTS

Over a period of six months, the treatment eradicated the paroxysmal symptoms to which all other therapies had failed.

CONCLUSIONS

This condition recently named as sympathetic neural hyperalgesia edema syndrome can present with symptoms of a pheochromocytoma and will respond to therapy with low dosages of dextroamphetamine sulfate.