ABSTRACT

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine producing tumors and although uncommon present a great challenge to the anesthesiologist since it has nonspecific clinical symptoms and risk of critical events, including death when not previously diagnosed. Clinical manifestation is variable, unspecific and depends on the catecholamine production profile. The classic triad of headache, palpitation and diaphoresis is present in up to 70% of the cases and only 50% have sustained hypertension. The best approach for pheochromocytoma treatment is surgical excision of the affected adrenal gland. The introduction of alpha adrenergic blockade medication, such as phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine had the highest impact in perioperative mortality reduction due to inhibition of the deleterious effect of vasoconstriction. The majority of anesthetic techniques and drugs are considered safe. Post-operative care in intensive care unit is advisable since patients may present instability of blood pressure and hypoglycemia. Genetic testing should be done in first-degree relatives of confirmed cases or when a genetic syndrome is suspected.

1. Introduction

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine producing tumor originated from chromaffin cells and up to 80% are located in the adrenal gland. Although uncommon they present a great challenge to the anesthesiologist since it has unspecific clinical symptoms, complex and not widely available diagnosis testing and risk of critical events, including death when not diagnosed. New research has found that up to 30% of pheochromocytoma cases are associated with autosomal genetic mutation [1,2].

2. Objectives

The proposal of this article is review the recent literature about clinical manifestation, diagnosis criteria, treatment options and anesthetic management of pheochromocytoma.

3. Method

For the review, scientific articles published between 2000 and 2012 in the PubMed Central (PMC-NCBI) databank where selected, preferably review and meta-analysis written in English containing the MeSH terms pheochromocytoma, phaechromocytoma, anesthesia and anaesthesia. Case report, experimental studies and uncommon presentations were excluded.

4. Results

The search retrieved 124 original articles respecting the inclusion and exclusion criteria described. From the original research 18 articles where selected for this review.

4.1. Clinical Manifestation and Diagnosis

The clinical manifestation is variable, unspecific and depends on the catecholamine production profile. The classic triad of headache, palpitation and diaphoresis is present in up to 70% of the cases and only 50% have sustained hypertension. The annual incidence is estimated in 2 to 8 cases per million in general population and prevalence of 0.1% to 0.6% in hypertensive population [3,4].

The best exam for diagnosis is the measurement of plasmatic metanephrines (Sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 89%) and since many medications can influence this test (Table 1) proper patient preparation is of upmost importance. The best option for topographic location is the use of catecholamine synthesis metabolic marker such as scintigraphy with ¹²³I-MIBG and PET scan with ¹⁸Ffluorodopamine [3,4].

4.2. Treatment Options

The best approach for pheochromocytoma treatment is the surgical excision of the affected adrenal gland. Due to retroperitoneal anatomic positioning the preferably technique is laparoscopy [4].

For metastatic disease, there are other options like symptomatic treatment with adrenergic blockers, radiotherapy with ¹³³I-MIBG, chemotherapy and conventional radiotherapy. The prognosis of this presentation is poor with less than 50% survival in 5 years [1,4].

4.3. Anesthetic Management

An optimal pre-anesthetic management is vital for pheochromocytoma treatment and the goal is clinical control of the disease with reduction of plasmatic catecholamine levels. The introduction of alpha adrenergic blockade medication (Table 2), such as phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine had the highest impact in perioperative mortality reduction because it inhibits the deleterious effect of vasoconstriction [5-7].

During surgery the objective is maintenance of hemodynamic stability, since normal surgical stimuli (patient positioning, anesthesia induction, intubation, and tumor manipulation) may cause severe hypertension. The majority of anesthetic techniques and drugs are considered safe. Along with regular surgical monitoring, invasive blood pressure measurement is highly recommended [7- 13].

After tumor excision hypotension may begin due to residual effect of alpha adrenergic antagonists, increase in venous capacitance and intraoperative bleeding, but is usually manageable leading to a near zero perioperative mortality in recent studies [14-17].

4.4. Post-Operative Management

Is advisable the post-operative care in intensive care unit since many patients may present blood pressure instability (up to 50% may have hypertension and increase of plasmatic levels of catecholamine) and hypoglycemia (patients may have a decreased glycogen level due to the increase in glycogenolysis and lipolysis caused by adrenergic stimulus) [18-21].

Lifelong follow up with plasmatic dosage of catecholamine and metanephrine is recommended since there are cases of late tumoral relapse in literature. Genetic testing should be done in first-degree relatives of confirmed cases or when genetic syndrome is suspected (café au lait spots, cerebellar tumor, thyroid medullar carcinoma, hyperparathyroidism) [8,9].

5. Discussion

Although uncommon type of tumor, pheochromocytomas present a great challenge to the anesthesiologist, since it has unspecific clinical symptoms, complex detection tests and possibility of unfavorable results, including death when not previously diagnosed.

Familiar or personal history of critical perioperative events associated with a detailed physical examination during pre-anesthetic evaluation are the main tools for the suspicion of these tumors.Clinical control with alpha adrenergic antagonistmedication had the highest impact in reduction of perioperative mortality and the majority of the experts consider adequate 14 to 21 days of treatment before surgery.

During surgery hemodynamic instability may arise due to nociceptive stimulus or tumoral manipulation, therefore hypotensive medications should be ready before anesthetic induction (Table 3). Commonly symptomatic adjuvant medication used in anesthesia (metoclopramide, droperidol) should be judiciously selected since it may trigger adrenergic crisis (Table 1). Postoperative care in an intensive care unit is recommended.

All patients with pheochromocytoma should have lifelong follow up since late relapse have been reported. Relatives of confirmed pheochrmocytomas cases should receive information about the increased risk of cathecolaminergic crisis.

REFERENCES

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.