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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 59(3): 179-181
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250424
Case Reports/Cardiac

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intrapericardial Pheochromocytoma

L. Cong1 , M. Fan2 , W. Tian2 , M. Cheng2 , G. Li2
  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
  • 2Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
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Publication History

received June 14, 2010

Publication Date:
08 April 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor. Most cases are intra-adrenal, and intrapericardial pheochromocytomas are extremely rare. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman with a seven-year history of hypertension. The concentration of blood noradrenaline was found to be elevated. Chest computed tomography scan showed a limited bulge in the superior border of the right atrium. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the existence of a tumor. Coronary arteriography detected a mass near the right atrium, which was nourished by an aberrant branch of the right coronary artery. After preoperative preparation, the patient underwent pericardial tumor resection. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient was successfully discharged 20 days later.

Key words

Cardiovascular surgery - heart disease - thoracic surgery

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Dr. Gang Li

Department of Cardiac Surgery
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District

Harbin 150086

P. R. China

Phone: +86 4 51 86 60 51 60

Fax: +86 4 51 86 29 69 95

Email: gangli73@163.com