Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the resection of large size pheochromocytoma: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that form in chromaffin cells of the neural crest during the embryological period. In the overall population, incidence rate is 0.1%; lack of early diagnosis or adequate treatment can lead to life-threatening complications. The secretion of catecholamines, such as adrenaline or norepinephrine, produces paroxysmal headache, palpitations and arterial hypertension. Secondary, hyperglycemic crises may also appear, thus contributing to misdiagnosis of diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis. Surgery prevails as primary treatment; despite its subsequent high mortality rate of up to 50% during the intra and postoperative periods. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 55-year-old man, diagnosed in 2012 with arterial hypertension and almost uncontrollable labile arterial hypertension, who had been medicated with second and third-line antihypertensive drugs, but, who, nonetheless showed no clinical improvement. Biochemical profile studies showed elevated normetanephrine and metanephrine levels; and an abdominal MRI, a markedly vascularized, 72 × 62 mm diameter solid mass in the right adrenal fossa; thereby leading to its classification as a large, noradrenergic phenotype pheochromocytoma. DISCUSSION: In 2018, at the Fundación de Santa Fe de Bogotá Hospital, patient underwent Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy, which proceeded without complications. In the 6-month postoperative follow-up, patient remained asymptomatic for cardiovascular risk and maintained stable blood pressure within goals; consequently, antihypertensive therapy was suspended. CONCLUSION: Despite advances in surgical technique and perioperative management, minimally invasive surgery for resection of large pheochromocytoma is a challenging procedure, due to risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability.