Phaeocytochorma

Question 1

symptoms of phaeochromoscytoma

Answer 1

headache
palpitaitons
vomiting
breathlesness
weakness
during episodes, felt like he was 'going to die'
pale
hypertension

Question 2

differentials for phaeochormocytoma

Answer 2

acute anxiety
thyrotoxicosis
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
autonomic epilepsy

Question 3

investigation for phaeochromocytoma

Answer 3

establish alpha adrenoblockadge followed by a beta blockadge

CT/MRI of adrenals

metaiodobenzylguanidine or octreotide scintigraphy

selective venous sampling

Question 4

treatment of phaeochromocytoma

Answer 4

surgical excision
combined alpha and beta adrenoceptor blockade with oral phenoxybenzamine (20-40mg/day) then propranolol (!20-140mg/day)

IV phenoxybenzamine for 2-3 days prior to surgery

Question 5

physiology of phaeochormocytoma

Answer 5

catecholamine secreting tumor arising in the adrenal muedulla (if extra adrenal then they are known as paragangliomas)