Emergency resection of phaeochromocytoma presenting with hyperamylasaemia and pulmonary oedema after abdominal trauma.

Phaeochromocytoma may present as an acute emergency with a perplexing variety of symptoms. We report a case in which a tumour of the organ of Zuckerkandl was removed after its unexpected discovery during laparotomy for abdominal trauma. A patient is described in whom a history of abdominal trauma coupled with collapse, pulmonary oedema, raised serum amylase and a positive peritoneal tap for blood, led to laparotomy at which an extramedullary phaeochromocytoma was found unexpectedly. The tumour was successfully resected, but immediate hypotension was life threatening. The inadvisability of resecting a phaeochromocytoma discovered at operation is discussed.