Gastrointestinal pseudo-obstruction after debulking surgery of malignant pheochromocytoma, improved by intravenous administration of α-adrenergic receptor blocker, phentolamine

Perioperative anesthetic management of intestinal pseudo-obstruction as a complication of pheochromocytoma

BACKGROUND

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction, which is a rare complication of pheochromocytoma, can be caused by hypersecreted catecholamines.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 45-year-old woman was admitted for local recurrence of pheochromocytoma complicated by intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The intestinal pseudo-obstruction showed poor response to α-adrenergic receptor blocker and she was scheduled for surgical resection of pheochromocytoma. The surgery was uneventfully accomplished with general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia. The latter was performed with the aim of not only perioperative pain management but also of promoting intestinal peristalsis. The anticipated effect for intestinal peristalsis was not apparent in the early postoperative phase. The abdominal symptoms were gradually relieved over the course of about 1 month.

CONCLUSIONS

For intestinal pseudo-obstruction induced by pheochromocytoma, although inhibition of the sympathetic system by epidural infusion of local anesthetics may be promising, short-term usage of epidural local anesthetics infusion did not provide a quick recovery after pheochromocytoma removal surgery.

Ogilvie's Syndrome after Robotic-Assisted Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), also known as Ogilvie's syndrome, is defined by poor peristaltic activity of the colon that mimics mechanical obstruction in the absence of any mechanical occlusive gut lesion. This case report is the first to be published on ACPO occurring after robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy. Given that robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery has become the next major stage of advancement for a range of operations, especially in gynecologic oncology surgery, this report emphasizes the importance of recognizing precipitating factors associated with this syndrome, including minimally invasive surgery.

Pathophysiology and diagnosis of disorders of the adrenal medulla: focus on pheochromocytoma

The principal function of the adrenal medulla is the production and secretion of catecholamines. During stressful challenging conditions, catecholamines exert a pivotal homeostatic role. Although the main adrenomedullary catecholamine, epinephrine, has a wide array of adrenoreceptor-mediated effects, its absence does not cause life-threatening problems. In contrast, excess production of catecholamines due to an adrenomedullary tumor, specifically pheochromocytoma, results in significant morbidity and mortality. Despite being rare, pheochromocytoma has a notoriously bad reputation because of its potential devastating effects if undetected and untreated. The paroxysmal signs and symptoms and the risks of missing or delaying the diagnosis are well known for most physicians. Nevertheless, even today the diagnosis is still overlooked in a considerable number of patients. Prevention and complete cure are however possible by early diagnosis and appropriate treatment but these patients remain a challenge for physicians. Yet, biochemical proof of presence or absence of catecholamine excess has become more easy and straightforward due to developments in assay methodology. This also applies to radiological and functional imaging techniques for locating the tumor. The importance of genetic testing for underlying germline mutations in susceptibility genes for patients and relatives is increasingly recognized. Yet, the effectiveness of genetic testing, in terms of costs and benefits to health, has not been definitively established. Further improvement in knowledge of genotype-phenotype relationships in pheochromocytoma will open new avenues to a more rationalized and personalized diagnostic approach of affected patients.