Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy in a patient with pheochromocytoma and polycystic kidney and liver disease: a case report

BACKGROUND: Clinical manifestations of pheochromocytoma (PCC) frequently are not specific and can be attributed to other pathologies. The most dreaded manifestation is catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. A prompt diagnosis, sometimes extremely problematic due to associated conditions of the patient, is essential for clinical outcomes, because early resection of PCC may prevent progression to irreversible cardiac remodelling. CASE SUMMARY: We present a case of 47-year-old woman with suspected acute coronary syndrome but intact coronary vessels. Electrocardiogram examination showed ST depression suggestive for coronary ischaemia. Echocardiography revealed reduced ejection fraction of left ventricle and global hypokinesis. Abdominal ultrasound examination determined multiple cysts in liver and both kidneys. The patient had unclear transient states of sudden sweating, pale skin, nausea, and vomiting accompanied by hypertensive crisis. Fractioned urinary metanephrines were considerably increased. Contrasted computed tomography of abdominal cavity and pelvis revealed in both liver lobes many cysts; both kidneys showed multiple cysts too; in the right adrenal gland was detected a filling defect. Computed tomography findings have established diagnosis of adrenal PCC of right gland associated with liver and kidney polycystic disease. DISCUSSION: Phechromocytoma, with primary manifestation as catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy, in patient with polycystic kidney and liver disease could represent a really challenging diagnosis. Clinical manifestations of PCC frequently are not specific and can be explained by associated pathologies. This is the second case of adrenalectomy due to PCC associated with polycystic kidney and liver disease reported in the medical literature.