The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 51, 661-663, Copyright © 1991 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Intrapericardial pheochromocytoma
CH Chang, PJ Lin, JP Chang, MJ Shieh, MC Lee, HS Huang and TT Kuo
Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
In a 34-year-old man with hypertension and increased urinary catecholamine
excretion for 12 years, an m-[131I]iodobenzylguanidine scan and chest
computed tomography located an intrapericardial pheochromocytoma in the
left atrium. The tumor was excised through a left thoracotomy with
cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest. At 34-month follow-up, blood
pressure and urine catecholamine levels were normal. In the 15 cases of
intrapericardial pheochromocytoma treated by resection reported in the
literature, all 11 survivors were symptom- free except 1 who had residual
left atrial tumor and multiple skeletal metastatic lesions. Computed
tomography directed by the m- [131I]iodobenzylguanidine scan can be used
for detailed location of the tumor. Appropriate surgical approach and use
of cardiopulmonary bypass are critical in the resection of these highly
vascular tumors.
