Diagnosis and treatment of a diaphragmatic pheochromocytoma: A case report

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pheochromocytomas, the incidence of which is >15%, can occur throughout the entire body but seldom on the diaphragm. Surgery may the first-choice treatment for ectopic pheochromocytomas. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We herein describe a 61-year-old woman with an atopic diaphragmatic pheochromocytoma. She had a 7-year history of paroxysmal headaches, palpitations, and hypertension with no obvious causes; these symptoms were alleviated by nifedipine and metoprolol. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a slightly hypodense lesion on top of the right hepatic lobe. A Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan showed increased radioactive in the lesion. After adequate preoperative preparation, we removed the mass. During the operation, we found that the mass was located on the diaphragm. The pathological examination showed that the main pathologic change was paraganglioma. The patient recovered well after surgery with no recurrence of her hypertension, palpitation, or headache. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragmatic pheochromocytoma is a rare kind of ectopic pheochromocytomas, which can also affect the patient’s quality of life. Combination of qualitative and positioning tests can assist in diagnosis of ectopic pheochromocytoma. Surgical resection is an effective treatment method.