Reversible cerebral ischemia in patients with pheochromocytoma

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 pro ven by highly elevated urinary catecholamines and confirmed histologically after operation. The successful removal of the tumor led to the almost comp lete recovery of the neurological deficiencies. It is of vital importance t o know this atypical presentation of pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis of phe ochromocytoma should be suspected in patients with focal cerebral symptoms, particularly in the presence of intermittent hypertension or other paroxys mal symptoms suggestive of pheochromocytoma. (C) 1999, Editrice Kurtis.