Early diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy
Bolli, G.; Puxeddu, A.; Gilardi, G.; De Feo, P.; Pasqualucci, V.; Cartechini, M.G.
Minerva Medica 72(18): 1147-1152
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4806 PMID: 7231770 Document Number: 171715
The authors report a case of pheochromocytoma revealed by a de novo appeared hypertension in a young female patient at her 3rd trimester of pregnancy. An early diagnosis and an appropriate medical management allowed a successful maternal outcome. Since maternal and fetal prognosis of pheochromocytoma associated with pregnancy is strictly related to an antepartum diagnosis, the importance of suspecting pheochromocytoma as underlying cause of de novo appearing hypertension (or hypertension of unknown origin) during pregnancy is emphasized. Biochemical tests (plasma and/or urinary catecholamine or metabolite determination) are recommended as the most suitable approach to the screening of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy.