Adrenal Incidentaloma With the Diagnosis of Normotensive Pheochromocytoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumors that originate from the adrenal medulla. Their clinical presentations most commonly include hypertension, headache, palpitations, and sweating; however, PCCs are sometimes normotensive and clinically silent. Case Presentation: A female patient with abdominal pain as well as persistent and crushing left flank pain for the past six months was examined. The imaging studies revealed a mass in the upper pole of the left kidney indicative of a potential adrenal gland tumor; however, she had normal blood pressure (BP). Histopathologic examination of the mass from exploratory laparotomy showed that it was a PCC. Findings from sonography and computed tomography (CT) scan of the left adrenal tumor, along with elevated urinary normetanephrine level and positive iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan led to preoperative diagnosis of PCC in our case. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of imaging and biochemical testing in diagnosing PCCs in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs), even though they were normotensive and entirely asymptomatic.