Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Pheochromocytoma

Abstract

Simultaneous presentation of pheochromocytoma and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is uncommon and poses unique challenges. Based on the rare case reports, there may be an association with AAA development and rupture. The approach to these separate lesions requires medical management to prevent hypertensive crisis and cardiovascular collapse, decision whether to approach the pheochromocytoma laparoscopically or by open approaches, the decision to approach the AAA by open or endovascular repair (EVAR) and the sequence and timing of repair. We present a case of a female who had a biochemically active but clinical benign pheochromocytoma in conjunction with an AAA that was repaired simultaneously by an open approach

Open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with incidental finding of an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma of the organ of Zuckerkandl

“…Three cases of elective pheochromocytoma resection and concomitant AAA repair have been described. 17–19 In these cases, the patients were pre-operatively diagnosed with pheochromocytomas with imaging studies demonstrating a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in one case and an infrarenal AAA in the other two. None of the patients were candidates for endovascular repair of their aortic aneurysms secondary to occlusive iliac disease and/or inappropriate neck morphology.…”