Adult respiratory distress syndrome in a pregnant patient with a pheochromocytoma

J Surg Oncol. 1985 May;29(1):5-7. doi: 10.1002/jso.2930290103.

Abstract

Five weeks after developing spells of shortness of breath, headache, weakness and abdominal pain, a 29-year-old woman, who was in the 36th week of her third pregnancy developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although the ARDS resolved after a cesarean section, her infant died at birth. Her "spells" continued until a left pheochromocytoma was diagnosed and resected 2 years later. If there are no other known inciting causes of ARDS in a pregnant patient, a pheochromocytoma should be ruled out with appropriate catecholamine determinations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications*
  • Adult
  • Catecholamines / urine
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Humans
  • Pheochromocytoma / complications*
  • Pre-Eclampsia
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / complications*

Substances

  • Catecholamines