Intestinal pseudo-obstruction in pheochromocytoma
Khafagi, F.A.; Lloyd, H.M.; Gough, I.R.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine 17(2): 246-248
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8291 PMID: 3476062 Document Number: 297194
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare complication of pheochromocytoma. We describe a 39 year old man with a large right adrenal pheochromocytoma and extremely high catecholamine levels, who developed pseudo-obstruction which responded promptly to intravenous phentolamine infusions. This case supports the concept that this complication is attributable to high circulating levels of catecholamines, acting by direct and indirect inhibition of gastrointestinal motility.