A Case of Pheochromocytoma that Initially Presented as Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage.

Ryu, Dae Sick; Joung, Hyoung Chu; Kim, Mi Hye; Jung, Bock Hyun

doi:2008.64.1.52

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 64(1); 2008 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2008;64(1):52-56.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.64.1.52 Published online January 1, 2008.

A Case of Pheochromocytoma that Initially Presented as Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage.

Dae Sick Ryu, Hyoung Chu Joung, Mi Hye Kim, Bock Hyun Jung

¹Department of Radiology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea.
²Department of Internal Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea. jbh@gnah.co.kr

Abstract

A pheochromocytoma is a neuroectodermal tumor that originates from the chromaffin cells of the sympathetic system. Typical symptoms or signs are periodic attacks of paroxysmal hypertension, spell, palpitation, headache and sweating. However, the clinical presentation is quite variable. Therefore, an atypical clinical presentation sometimes makes a diagnosis difficult. Hemoptysis as a presenting symptom is very rare in pheochromocytoma. We recently experienced a patient with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to pheochromocytoma. A chest PA showed diffuse consolidation and ground glass opacities in both lungs. A chest CT showed diffuse consolidation and ground glass opacities in the central, middle and lower portion predominance of the lungs, sparing the costophrenic angles and apices of the lungs. In Korea, a case of pheochromocytoma that presented initially as massive hemoptysis due to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage has not been previously reported. We report the case with a review of the literature.

Key Words: Hemoptysis, Pheochromocytoma, Computed tomography