Paraganglioma complicating pregnancy and the puerperium.

A rare case of a paraganglioma (extraadrenal pheochromocytoma) that complicated both pregnancy and the puerperium is described. The patient presented a confusing clinical picture simulating pregnancy-induced hypertension, which, after delivery, masqueraded as intractable fever of unknown origin. Computed tomography precisely identified the presence and location of the mass, which had eluded detection despite exhaustive testing. Pheochromocytoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postpartum fever of unknown origin, especially if associated with paroxysmal hypertension.