Brain Tumor, Pheochromocytoma, and Pregnancy: A Case Report of a Cesarean Delivery in a Patient With Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Anesthesia Management in Hereditary Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Updated Insights into Clinical Features and Perioperative Care

Approximately 40% of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) cases are familial, typically presenting earlier with more complex symptoms. This paper synthesizes literature and guidelines to inform on clinical characteristics and perioperative care for PPGL. Pheochromocytoma in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease exhibits heightened secretion activity without significant perioperative hemodynamic changes. Tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) have a stronger endocrine function, which may induce hemodynamic fluctuations during surgery. Therefore, pheochromocytoma screening is essential at all stages of MEN2. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) often presents multisystem lesions and can result in difficult airway. Pheochromocytoma should be evaluated when NF1 patients present hypertension. Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma type 5 may present multiple lesions of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. In summary, hereditary PPGLs may present with severe lesions in other systems, beyond tumor function. A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach is often invaluable in perioperative management.

Anesthetic Challenge in a Parturient With Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease with incomplete penetrance and variable expression. The features of cerebellar and spinal tumors, pheochromocytomas, and increased intracranial pressure complicate the anesthetic management of such patients. This report describes the anesthetic management of a parturient with VHL disease and highlights the importance of proper surveillance, vigilant management, and individualized treatment plans from a multidisciplinary team.

Pheochromocytoma in Pregnancy: A Syndromic Association

Introduction

Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is a rare cause of secondary hypertension with lethal consequences to both mother and fetus. As patients are young, the possibility of syndromic associations like MEN-2, VHL, NF-1, etc., needs to be considered.

Methodology

Three primigravida were diagnosed before the 20th week of gestation when they presented with classical triad of pheochromocytoma.

Results

Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by 24 h urinary metanephrine/normetanephrine or epinephrine/norepinephrine levels. Non-contrast MRI abdomen could localize the tumor. One patient had medullary thyroid carcinoma with hyperparathyroidism, indicative of MEN-2A. Another patient had brain stem hemangioblastoma, pancreatic cysts and family history of spinal hemangioblastoma, so diagnosed to have Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Whereas, the third patient had sporadic pheochromocytoma. Preoperatively, they required antihypertensive medications including prazosin and metoprolol. They underwent laparoscopic/open adrenalectomy between 19th and 21st week of gestation without complication. Histopathology in all the three patients revealed low-grade pheochromocytoma by pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland scaled score. None required antihypertensive medications after surgery. All the three newborns were small for gestational age, while one neonate expired due to intra-cardiac rhabdomyoma. So, the timely evaluation and surgical intervention for pheochromocytoma avoid lethal consequences.

Conclusions

Pregnancy leads to unmasking of pheochromocytoma as it is physiological stress. The syndromic association is more frequent as the population is younger. A poor fetal outcome like IUGR can be explained by endovascular changes in uterine vessel or due to the associated manifestations of MEN-2A, VHL syndromes. Family members should be screened for associated syndromic feature.

Management Strategies for Brain Tumors Diagnosed during Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background and Objectives: Maternal brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy are very rare, and their clinical course remains incompletely understood. We recently experienced a case of a brain tumor diagnosed at 30 weeks of gestation, and the treatment was initiated after delivery at 32 weeks of gestation. In this study, we reviewed case reports of brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy, focusing on whether the brain tumor was treated during pregnancy or after termination of pregnancy and on the timing of therapeutic intervention. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed and Ichushi-Web for articles published after January 2000 that reported cases of maternal brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the tumor was treated during pregnancy (Group A) or after termination of pregnancy (Group B). Results: In total, 42 patients were included in the study (13 (31%) in Group A and 29 (69%) in Group B). The most common symptoms before diagnosis were those caused by increased intracranial pressure (57.1%). The diagnosis was made at 18 ± 6 weeks of gestation in Group A and 26 ± 9 weeks of gestation in Group B (p = 0.007). In all cases diagnosed after 34 weeks of gestation, termination of pregnancy was followed by treatment. Treatment was initiated within two weeks of diagnosis in 50% of patients in Group A and 30% in Group B. Conclusions: When severe symptoms caused by increased intracranial pressure last for several weeks, imaging tests should be considered. Termination of pregnancy is a good option for a brain tumor diagnosed after 34 weeks of gestation, while comprehensive treatment decisions should be made based on the severity of symptoms and the course of pregnancy in other cases.

Telemedicine-Based Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma in a Patient With Von Hippel Lindau Disease: A Case Report

We present the case of a young woman with Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) disease who underwent a combined pheochromocytoma resection along with pancreaticoduodenectomy. Her preoperative management, including effective alpha-blockade, was conducted remotely via telemedicine video visits, patient-entered vital sign data, and secure messaging between provider and patient. Similar remote management was undertaken before a subsequent pheochromocytoma resection while the patient was pregnant, and both surgeries had positive outcomes. This represents the first time that telemedicine and mobile health monitoring have been successfully used for preoperative alpha-blockade in a high-acuity patient before a complex multivisceral surgery.