Arterial embolization for ruptured adrenal pheochromocytoma

Adrenal bleeding due to pheochromocytoma - A call for algorithm

BACKGROUND

Adrenal hemorrhage is a rare, usually life-threating complication. The most common neoplasm resulting in spontaneous adrenal bleeding is pheochromocytoma and it accounts for nearly 50% of cases. Currently, the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with adrenal bleeding due to pheochromocytoma are unavailable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a database search for all pheochromocytoma patients, diagnosed and treated from 2005 to 2021 in tertiary endocrinology center. 206 patients were identified, 183 with complete data were included in the analysis. We investigated clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and outcomes of hemorrhagic pheochromocytoma cases and characterize our approach to perioperative diagnosis and medical management. Finally our experiences and data from previously published articles concerning adrenal hemorrhage were analyzed to propose a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for hemorrhagic pheochromocytomas.

RESULTS

In the whole group, seven patients (4 men and 3 women) with adrenal bleeding were found, (3.8%). Median patient's age was 49 years (range: 36-78 years). The most common manifestation of adrenal bleeding was acute abdominal pain (5/7). Two patients developed shock. Hormonal assessment was performed in five patients, based on 24-hour urinary fractionated metanephrines with urinary 3-methoxytyramine. Normetanephrine was elevated in all patients, metanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine - in four cases (4/5). Most patients (6/7) had symptoms suggesting pheochromocytoma before hemorrhage - most commonly paroxysmal hypertension (4/7). One patient died, before the diagnosis of adrenal bleeding was made. Diagnostic imaging performed in six out of seven patients revealed adrenal tumor, with median largest diameter equal to 7.4 cm (range: 5-11 cm). Five patients had elective surgery, in one case an urgent surgery was performed. In all cases the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed in postoperative histopathology or in autopsy. The perioperative survival rate was 85.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma should be always considered in patients with adrenal bleeding, especially with accompanying abdominal pain, hemodynamic shock and previous history of pheochromocytoma-associated symptoms. Lack of proper diagnosis of pheochromocytoma before surgery is associated with an additional perioperative risk. To improve the decision making in this life-threatening clinical situation, based on our results and literature data, we proposed a diagnostic and treatment algorithm.

Catecholaminergic Crisis After a Bleeding Complication of COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents in some cases with hemostatic and thrombotic complications. Pheochromocytomas are unusual, though potentially lethal tumors. Herein we describe the first case of hemorrhage in a pheochromocytoma related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. A 62-year-old man consulted for syncope, fever, and palpitations. He was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and presented with a hemorrhage in a previously unknown adrenal mass, which resulted in a catecholaminergic crisis. Medical treatment and surgery were required for symptom control and stabilization. We hereby alert clinicians to watch for additional/unreported clinical manifestations in COVID-19 infection.

Ruptured functioning adrenal tumour, atypical presentation with renal colic and hypertension

Pheochromocytomas are uncommon tumours that originate in chromaffin cells. They are a representation of 0.1%–1% of all cases of secondary hypertension. Most pheochromocytomas are unilateral and benign, featuring catecholamine production, as well as the production of other neuropeptides. Pheochromocytomas are mostly located in the adrenal gland; the frequency of occurrence is highest between 30 and 50 years of age; however, up to 25% of cases may be linked to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, Von-Hippel-Landau disease and type 1 neurofibromatosis in the young.

We present a case of ruptured left adrenal pheochromocytoma with an atypical presentation. A 30-year-old male patient presented with severe left flank pain and hypertension. The CT scan of the abdomen showed bleeding from the left adrenal mass, where resuscitation and angioembolisation were done. Embolisation of the inferior and superior arteries was done, but the middle failed. The patient experienced a significant drop in haemoglobin and a haemorrhagic shock post angioembolisation, which called for emergency laparotomy. The patient is currently doing well with an uneventful postoperative course.

Spontaneous hemorrhage of an adrenal myelolipoma treated with transarterial embolization: A case report

Adrenal myelolipoma is a benign tumor of the adrenal cortex composed predominantly of fat and hematopoietic tissue. These lesions are usually asymptomatic, and most often incidentally detected on imaging. Uncommonly, they present with retroperitoneal hemorrhage, and these have been traditionally treated with emergent surgery. Although, transarterial embolization has been effectively and safely used in patients presenting with active hemorrhage from acute traumatic and nontraumatic causes, literature specifically pertaining to adrenal artery embolization is scant, perhaps due to smaller size and variability of adrenal arteries. With recent advances in endovascular techniques and imaging, there are emerging case reports and series of adrenal artery embolization in acute and nonacute settings. We report a case of spontaneous hemorrhage within an adrenal myelolipoma in a 43-year-old male patient, successfully treated with transarterial embolization, thereby avoiding major surgery. Our report adds to the growing body of literature pertaining to adrenal artery embolization.

Adrenal glands hemorrhages: embolization in acute setting

Background

Acute adrenal hemorrhages are a rare event compared to other abdominal visceral injuries because of the anatomic localization of the adrenal glands; main causes are trauma and ruptured neoplasms. This manuscript reports on a single center experience of transarterial embolizations of adrenal hemorrhages in emergency setting.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis from 2010 to date, 17 patients (12 men and 5 women, mean age: 59.8 years) presenting with adrenal bleedings were treated by endovascular embolization. The etiology was traumatic in 7 cases, ruptured neoplasm in 8 cases and spontaneous in 2 patients assuming oral anticoagulant therapy. After thin slice contrast enhanced CT, a superselective embolization was conducted with different embolizing agents according to the type of vessel lesion and operator preference.

Results

Technical success rate, considered as interruption of adrenal bleeding detectable at angiography, was 94.1%. Clinical success rate, considered as hemodynamic stability restoration within 24 hours from the procedure, was 82.3%. Vessels involved were the superior adrenal artery in 5 patients, the middle adrenal artery in 8 patients, the inferior adrenal artery in one patient and more than one adrenal artery in 3 patients. No procedure-related major complications occurred and no patients had infarctions, necrosis, abscess formation, or required long-term steroid supplementation.

Conclusions

Acute adrenal hemorrhages can be safely and effectively managed by catheter directed embolizations; the source of bleeding has to be carefully investigated at CT and angiography because adrenal glands present with a wide and complex vascular arterial network.

Optimizing Hemodynamics with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Adrenal Pheochromocytoma Rupture

Pheochromocytoma rupture is rare, and emergent adrenalectomy is associated with a high mortality. We herein report a patient with pheochromocytoma rupture who was stabilized by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and subsequently underwent elective surgery. A 45-year-old man presented with the sudden onset of left lateral abdominal pain, headache, chest discomfort, high blood pressure, and adrenal hemorrhaging on enhanced abdominal computed tomography. TAE was performed under a provisional diagnosis of pheochromocytoma rupture. Following oral doxazosin, he underwent elective left adrenalectomy four and a half months after TAE. Stabilizing the hemodynamic status by TAE before adrenalectomy is a viable option for treating pheochromocytoma rupture.

Interventional radiology of the adrenal glands: current status

As more and more adrenal neoplasms are found incidentally or symptomatically, the need for interventional procedures has being increasing. In recent years these procedures registered continued steady expansion. Interventional radiology of the adrenal glands comprises angiographic and percutaneous procedures. They may be applied both in benign and in malignant pathologies. The present review reports the current status of indications, techniques results and complications of the image-guided procedures.

Spontaneous ruptured pheochromocytoma: an unusual case report and literature review

Ruptured pheochromocytoma is a rare disease. Its mortality rate is up to 31%–50%. Proper management of ruptured pheochromocytoma remains unclear. A 44-year-old male patient visited our Emergency Department and presented with abrupt onset of left flank pain. His blood pressure was 190/140 mmHg with purse rate of 130 beats/min. CT scan showed 8.1 × 5.6-cm-sized heterogeneously mass with rupture on the left retroperitoneal space and active bleeding. His symptom of abdominal pain was aggravated. Follow-up laboratory analysis revealed elevated WBC count and decreased hemoglobin 2 hours after admission. Emergency laparotomy was performed. We resected the ruptured left retroperitoneal mass and hemostasis. Pathologic exams revealed adrenal pheochromocytoma with rupture. Although our patient was alive, according to literature review, mortality rate of emergency operation without medical management is higher than elective operation after blood pressure control with either medical or interventional methods such as transcatheter arterial embolization.

Catastrophic hemorrhage of adrenal pheochromocytoma following thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction: case report and literature review

We describe here the case of a 62-year-old man with acute abdominal syndrome and severe hemorrhagic shock following successful thrombolysis for acute cardiac infarction. Emergency surgical exploration revealed extensive intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal hemorrhage resulting from the rupture of a large adrenal tumor. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by histological findings. The patient died a few hours after surgery from multiorgan failure despite resuscitation attempts. This report discusses the diagnosis difficulties, treatment approach, and relevant literature.

Adrenal artery embolization: anatomy, indications, and technical considerations

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to describe adrenal arterial anatomy and to discuss the indications, outcomes, and technical considerations of adrenal artery embolization.

CONCLUSION

Adrenal artery embolization can be used for management of adrenal tumors (palliative for pain relief, debulking, or hormone suppression) and treatment of acute bleeding from ruptured adrenal tumors, traumatic adrenal injury, and aneurysms. Variant arterial supplies, options for embolic agents, and potential complications are important considerations.

Adrenal artery pseudoaneurysm in pheochromocytoma presenting with catastrophic retroperitoneal haemorrhage

Spontaneous rupture of adrenal pheochromocytoma is an extremely rare condition which presents as an abdominal catastrophe. Unrecognized, this transformation can rapidly lead to death. We report a case of a 63-year-old male who presented with hemorrhagic shock secondary to ruptured adrenal pheochromocytoma. The clinical course is notable for immediate transarterial catheter embolization for control of bleeding, followed by optimization and elective adrenalectomy. High mortality is associated with an operative intervention in the face of an unrecognized pheochromocytoma. This reinforces the need for maintaining a high index of suspicion in the setting of a suprarenal mass despite hypotension.

Spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage with associated masses: etiology and management in 6 cases and a review of 133 reported cases

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage associated with a mass is uncommon and treatment strategies are not standardized. Current treatment modalities range from supportive management and blood transfusion to embolization or immediate operative extirpation. Our objectives were to describe six cases from a single institution and to perform a literature review of the etiology of the condition and recommended management of patients with hemorrhagic adrenal masses.

METHODS

Records from six patients diagnosed with adrenal hemorrhage and an associated mass at a single institution were reviewed. Clinical records and outcomes were analyzed. A comprehensive review of 133 reported cases in the literature was performed.

RESULTS

Six patients presented with spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage that appeared to be associated with a mass, with tumor sizes ranging from 3.7 to 15 cm. Three patients underwent adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma or adrenocortical cancer. Three patients did not undergo adrenalectomy: one had a metastasis from lung cancer, one underwent embolization, and one had resolution of the mass on interval imaging. A comprehensive review of the literature identified 133 cases, with pheochromocytoma the most commonly reported lesion (48%).

CONCLUSIONS

Spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage is rare. When it does occur, a high level of suspicion for malignant disease or pheochromocytoma should be maintained. The possibility of a hematoma masquerading as a neoplasm should also be considered. In cases of ongoing hemorrhage, embolization may be a lifesaving temporizing measure. Acute surgical intervention should be considered in selected patients, and surgery may not be required in all patients. A cautious approach with a comprehensive biochemical and imaging work-up is advised prior to operation.