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Simões de Carvalho F, Lima Ferreira J, Costa M, Tavares C, Marques AP. Clinical features of pheochromocytoma masked by VIP co-secretion. ENDOCRINOL DIAB NUTR 2022; 69:307-309. [PMID: 35636914 DOI: 10.1016/j.endien.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Simões de Carvalho
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Joana Lima Ferreira
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Mylene Costa
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Catarina Tavares
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Marques
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Simões de Carvalho F, Lima Ferreira J, Costa M, Tavares C, Marques AP. Clinical features of pheochromocytoma masked by VIP co-secretion. ENDOCRINOL DIAB NUTR 2021; 69:S2530-0164(21)00113-0. [PMID: 34127441 DOI: 10.1016/j.endinu.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Simões de Carvalho
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Joana Lima Ferreira
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Mylene Costa
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Catarina Tavares
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Marques
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Negro A, Verzicco I, Tedeschi S, Campanini N, Zanelli M, Negri E, Farnetti E, Nicoli D, Palladini B, Santi R, Cunzi D, Calvi A, Coghi P, Gerra L, Volpi R, Graiani G, Cabassi A. Case Report: Irreversible Watery Diarrhea, Severe Metabolic Acidosis, Hypokalemia and Achloridria Syndrome Related to Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Secreting Malignant Pheochromocytoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:652045. [PMID: 33815297 PMCID: PMC8010837 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.652045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) clinical manifestations generally mirror excessive catecholamines secretion; rarely the clinical picture may reflect secretion of other hormones. Watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria (WDHA) is a rare syndrome related to excessive secretion of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). CLINICAL CASE A 73-year-old hypotensive man affected by adrenal PHEO presented with weight loss and watery diarrhea associated with hypokalemia, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (anion gap 15 mmol/l) and a negative urinary anion gap. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a right adrenal PHEO, 8.1 cm in maximum diameter, with tracer uptake on 68GaDOTA-octreotate positron emission tomography. Metastasis in lumbar region and lung were present. Both chromogranin A and VIP levels were high (more than10 times the normal value) with slightly elevated urine normetanephrine and metanephrine excretion. Right adrenalectomy was performed and a somatostatin analogue therapy with lanreotide started. Immunostaining showed chromogranin A and VIP co-expression, with weak somatostatin-receptor-2A positivity. In two months, patient clinical conditions deteriorated with severe WDHA and multiple liver and lung metastasis. Metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia worsened, leading to hemodynamic shock and exitus. CONCLUSIONS A rare case of WDHA syndrome caused by malignant VIP-secreting PHEO was diagnosed. High levels of circulating VIP were responsible of the rapidly evolving clinical picture with massive dehydration and weight loss along with severe hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia due to the profuse untreatable diarrhea. The rescue treatment with lanreotide was unsuccessful because of the paucity of somatostatin-receptor-2A on VIP-secreting PHEO chromaffin cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio Negro
- Internal Medicine and Secondary Hypertension Center, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Ignazio Verzicco
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Tedeschi
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Campanini
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Negri
- High Care Internal Medicine Unit, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Enrico Farnetti
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Davide Nicoli
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Barbara Palladini
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Rosaria Santi
- Internal Medicine and Secondary Hypertension Center, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- High Care Internal Medicine Unit, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Davide Cunzi
- Internal Medicine and Secondary Hypertension Center, Ospedale Sant’Anna di Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, Azienda Unità sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Anna Calvi
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Pietro Coghi
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Luigi Gerra
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Volpi
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
| | - Gallia Graiani
- Histology and Histopathology Unit, Dental School, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Aderville Cabassi
- Centro Ipertensione Arteriosa e Studio Malattie Cardiorenali, S.S. Fisiopatologia Medica, Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Parma, Italy
- *Correspondence: Aderville Cabassi,
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Hu X, Cao W, Zhao M. Octreotide reverses shock due to vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting adrenal pheochromocytoma: A case report and review of literature. World J Clin Cases 2018; 6:862-868. [PMID: 30510956 PMCID: PMC6264997 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v6.i14.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasoactive intestinal peptide-producing tumors (VIPoma) usually originate in the pancreas and are characterized by diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria (WDHA syndrome). In adults, nonpancreatic VIPoma is very rare. Herein, we report an unusual case of VIP-producing pheochromocytoma marked by persistent shock, flushing, and watery diarrhea and high sensitivity to octreotide. A 53-year-old woman was hospitalized for sudden-onset hypertension with convulsions, which then rapidly evolved to persistent shock, flushing, and watery diarrhea. Abdominal computed tomography indicated a left adrenal mass, accompanied by bleeding; and marked elevations of both plasma catecholamine and VIP concentrations were documented via laboratory testing. Surprisingly, all clinical symptoms responded swiftly to octreotide treatment. Once surgically treated, hormonal levels normalized in this patient, and the clinical symptoms dissipated. Postoperative pathological and immunohistopathological studies confirmed a VIP-secreting pheochromocytoma with strong, diffuse positivity for somatostatin receptor type 2. During a 6-mo follow-up period, she seemed in good health and was symptom-free.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Hu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
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Shinall MC, Solórzano CC. Pheochromocytoma in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: When Should it Be Suspected? Endocr Pract 2016; 20:792-6. [PMID: 24518181 DOI: 10.4158/ep13417.or] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) carries an increased risk of pheochromocytoma. Most experts recommend that NF1 patients be screened for pheochromocytoma if hypertension develops. We sought to compare NF1 and non-NF1 patients with pheochromocytoma. METHODS Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing pheochromocytoma resection by a single surgeon from 2003-2012. Statistical significance was evaluated using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables. RESULTS Of 56 patients undergoing pheochromocytoma resection, 6 (11%) had NF1. All 6 (100%) NF1 patients had pheochromocytoma diagnosed incidentally during work-up for another condition, whereas 28 of 50 (56%) non-NF1-associated pheochromocytomas were diagnosed incidentally (P = .071). Hypertension was present in 1 (17%) NF1 patient and in 37 (74%) of the non-NF1 patients (P = .011). Tumors were significantly smaller in NF1 patients compared with non-NF1 patients (median tumor dimension, 2.75 cm vs. 5.9 cm, respectively; P = .014). CONCLUSION Although NF1 patients have a well-known increased risk of developing pheochromocytoma, in the current series, all NF1 patients referred to the surgeon for adrenalectomy had pheochromocytoma diagnosed incidentally. Nevertheless, NF1 patients had significantly smaller tumors and less hypertension than other patients treated for pheochromocytoma, perhaps due to a higher frequency of imaging occasioned by their other neoplasms. The common recommendation to screen for pheochromocytoma when hypertension develops would have failed to spur screening in 83% of these NF1 patients. Routine screening for pheochromocytoma in all NF1 patients may be warranted after evaluating whether this is cost-effective in reducing morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrick C Shinall
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Carmen C Solórzano
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Rogers A, Wang LM, Karavitaki N, Grossman AB. Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and pancreatic islet cell tumours: an association which should be recognized. QJM 2015; 108:573-6. [PMID: 23173186 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcs203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Rogers
- From the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK and Department of Histopathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - L M Wang
- From the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK and Department of Histopathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - N Karavitaki
- From the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK and Department of Histopathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - A B Grossman
- From the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK and Department of Histopathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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Jiang J, Zhang L, Wu Z, Ai Z, Hou Y, Lu Z, Gao X. A rare case of watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria syndrome caused by pheochromocytoma. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:553. [PMID: 25081061 PMCID: PMC4122777 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A rare syndrome of watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria (WDHA) is usually caused by pancreatic endocrine tumors that secrete excessive vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Here we report a rare case of WDHA caused by a pheochromocytoma. Case presentation A 45-year old male presented with persistent and progressive watery diarrhea for half a year, and was treated with dialysis due to azotemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia and metabolic acidosis. A right adrenal mass was found by ultrasonography, and Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) showed the tumor was hyper-metabolic. Levels of plasma normetanephrine (NMN) and serum chromogranin A (CgA) were significantly elevated. Immunohistochemistry analysis of the adrenal tumor was strongly positive for CgA, synaptophysin and VIP. The patient fully recovered from WDHA syndrome soon after surgery, as reflected in that diarrhea stopped, levels of plasma NMN, serum CgA, and electrolytes returned to normal thus no dialysis was needed. The patient remained disease free in a 12-months follow-up period. Conclusion We report an extremely rare case of pheochromocytoma causing WDHA syndrome and uremia, which the patient completely recovered from after tumor resection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yingyong Hou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, P,R, China.
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Ikuta SI, Yasui C, Kawanaka M, Aihara T, Yoshie H, Yanagi H, Mitsunobu M, Sugihara A, Yamanaka N. Watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria syndrome due to an adrenal pheochromocytoma. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13:4649-52. [PMID: 17729424 PMCID: PMC4611845 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i34.4649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria (WDHA) syndrome caused by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) -producing tumor only rarely occurs in patients with nonpancreatic disease. A 49-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a right adrenal tumor incidentally diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound during the investigation of chronic watery diarrhea. Laboratory findings showed hypokalemia and excessive production of VIP and catecholamines. After surgical resection of the tumor, diarrhea subsided and both electrolytes and affected hormone levels normalized. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, which contained VIP-positive ganglion-like cells. We herein present the clinical and histogenetic implications of this rare clinical entity, with literature review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-ichi Ikuta
- Department of Surgery, Meiwa General Hospital, Agenaruo 4-31, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
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Conconi MT, Spinazzi R, Nussdorfer GG. Endogenous Ligands of PACAP/VIP Receptors in the Autocrine–Paracrine Regulation of the Adrenal Gland. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2006; 249:1-51. [PMID: 16697281 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(06)49001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) are the main endogenous ligands of a class of G protein-coupled receptors (Rs). Three subtypes of PACAP/VIP Rs have been identified and named PAC(1)-Rs, VPAC(1)-Rs, and VPAC(2)-Rs. The PAC(1)-R almost exclusively binds PACAP, while the other two subtypes bind with about equal efficiency VIP and PACAP. VIP, PACAP, and their receptors are widely distributed in the body tissues, including the adrenal gland. VIP and PACAP are synthesized in adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, and are released in the adrenal cortex and medulla by VIPergic and PACAPergic nerve fibers. PAC(1)-Rs are almost exclusively present in the adrenal medulla, while VPAC(1)-Rs and VPAC(2)-Rs are expressed in both the adrenal cortex and medulla. Evidence indicates that VIP and PACAP, acting via VPAC(1)-Rs and VPAC(2)-Rs coupled to adenylate cyclase (AC)- and phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent cascades, stimulate aldosterone secretion from zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells. There is also proof that they can also enhance aldosterone secretion indirectly, by eliciting the release from medullary chromaffin cells of catecholamines and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn may act on the cortical cells in a paracrine manner. The involvement of VIP and PACAP in the regulation of glucocorticoid secretion from inner adrenocortical cells is doubtful and surely of minor relevance. VIP and PACAP stimulate the synthesis and release of adrenomedullary catecholamines, and all three subtypes of PACAP/VIP Rs mediate this effect, PAC(1)-Rs being coupled to AC, VPAC(1)-Rs to both AC and PLC, and VPAC(2)-Rs only to PLC. A privotal role in the catecholamine secretagogue action of VIP and PACAP is played by Ca(2+). VIP and PACAP may also modulate the growth of the adrenal cortex and medulla. The concentrations attained by VIP and PACAP in the blood rule out the possibility that they act as true circulating hormones. Conversely, their adrenal content is consistent with a local autocrine-paracrine mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Conconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Padua, I-35121 Padua, Italy
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Onozawa M, Fukuhara T, Minoguchi M, Takahata M, Yamamoto Y, Miyake T, Kanagawa K, Kanda M, Maekawa I. Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis due to WDHA syndrome caused by VIP-producing composite pheochromocytoma: a case in neurofibromatosis type 1. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2005; 35:559-63. [PMID: 16027147 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyi139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A 47-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 suffered from general muscle weakness and watery diarrhea. Laboratory findings showed elevated muscular enzymes, severe hypokalemia and excessive production of catecholamines and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). A computed tomography scan showed a 10 cm left adrenal mass, in which [(131)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy showed high uptake. After she underwent surgical removal of the tumor, all the symptoms and signs subsided. A histological study revealed that the mass consisted of pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma, respectively producing catecholamines and VIP. In immunohistochemical staining of neurofibromin, pheochromocytoma and ganglion cells showed positive staining, whereas the staining was negative for nerve bundles and Schwann cells. We concluded that the patient had hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis due to watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria (WDHA) syndrome, which was induced by a VIP-producing composite pheochromocytoma. Composite pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor that is composed of pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma, both derived from the neural crest. Deficiency of neurofibromin in Schwann cells might have played an important role in the development and the growth of the composite pheochromocytoma in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Onozawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa City Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan.
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