PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA PRESENTING AS ACUTE CIRCULATORY COLLAPSE AND ABDOMINAL-PAIN

Phaeochromocytomas may present as an acute emergency with a perplexing variety of symptoms. We report a case which presented with abdominal pain and severe respiratory distress due to a ruptured haemorrhagic ph aeochromocytoma. The severe cardiorespiratory collapse which precipita ted admission to the intensive care unit was managed with high doses o f dobutamine and noradrenaline and the patient was stable during the o perative resection. The management of this previously undiagnosed phae ochromocytoma and its atypical presentation are discussed.