PRIMARY HEPATIC PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

We report a case of a single intrahepatic pheochromocytoma in the abse nce of an adrenal lesion and no evidence of metastatic disease. The pa tient had strong clinical and biochemical evidence of a pheochromocyto ma. A CT scan was abnormal but nondiagnostic for pheochromocytoma. An I-123-metaiodobenzyl guanidine (MIBG) scan was falsely negative, but a n MRI scan showed a definitive hepatic abnormality. After confirmation of endocrine activity by venous sampling, the tumor was surgically re moved. The patient's symptoms have resolved and her plasma catecholami ne levels as well as her 24-h urine catecholamine excretion have norma lized. The case shows an unusual location of an isolated pheochromocyt oma and provides an example of a false negative I-123 MIBG scan.