Unrecognized pheochromocytoma

A case report and mini review.

Phaeochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-producing tumour with an annual incidence rate of 2 cases per 1 million per year in the general population [1]. The incidence of phaeochromocytoma in autopsy studies is under 0.1% and autopsy studies have also shown that up to 50% of phaeochromocytomas are unrecognized [2]. The tumour has protean manifestations, mimicking a variety of conditions, earning the title “great mimic” and often resulting in erroneous and delayed diagnosis, which if missed or not properly treated, will almost invariably prove fatal [3]