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Reversible cerebral ischemia in patients with pheochromocytoma

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Abstract

Cerebral ischemia and symptoms of stroke can occur as a rare manifestation in patients with pheochromocytoma. We describe a 45-year-old woman who was admitted because of a right-sided hemiparesis due to an ischemic lesion in the left hypothalamus. The clinical diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma was proven by highly elevated urinary catecholamines and confirmed histologically after operation. The successful removal of the tumor led to the almost complete recovery of the neurological deficiencies. It is of vital importance to know this atypical presentation of pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma should be suspected in patients with focal cerebral symptoms, particularly in the presence of intermittent hypertension or other paroxysmal symptoms suggestive of pheochromocytoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Intensive Care Unit, Switzerland

    F. S. Lehmann, P. Weiss & R. Ritz

  2. Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland

    F. Harder

  3. Division of Endocrinology, Dept. of Medicine, University Hospital of Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland

    J. -J. Staub M.D. (Professor of Endocrinology)

Authors
  1. F. S. Lehmann
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  2. P. Weiss
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  3. R. Ritz
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  4. F. Harder
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  5. J. -J. Staub M.D.
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Lehmann, F.S., Weiss, P., Ritz, R. et al. Reversible cerebral ischemia in patients with pheochromocytoma. J Endocrinol Invest 22, 212–214 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343544

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343544

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