An autopsy case of retroperitoneal paraganglioma that had presented with pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis

Abstract

A 40's woman was seen at the emergency room because of severe back pain and vomiting. Abdominal CT scan revealed a tumor about 7cm in diameter located on the retroperitoneum. For 6 hours after admission, her body temperature was 39°C and respiratory failure occurred. After 30 hours, the patient died because of a complication in circulatory failure. From the abnormally high level of catecholamines in the blood and autopsy results, we determined that pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis had been caused by the retroperitoneal paraganglioma.