Type A Aortic Dissection Complicated by Pheochromocytoma

We present a case of aortic dissection as the patient’s initial presentation of an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma. A 36 year old presented with substernal chest pressure and abdominal pain. CT revealed type A aortic dissection with a 3.6 cm mass left adrenal mass. Elevated catecholamine levels were diagnostic of pheochromocytoma. Type A aortic dissection caused by uncontrolled hypertension secondary to pheochromocytoma is a rare entity. This can complicate surgical planning. Although rare it is important to consider pheochromocytoma in the differential for uncontrolled hypertension in the setting of type A aortic dissections.
Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research