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Published 23 September 2009
Cite this as: BMJ Case Reports 2009 [doi:10.1136/bcr.06.2009.1987]
Copyright © 2009 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Unusual association of diseases/symptoms

Multiple organ failure secondary to multiple organism bacteraemia associated with intestinal ischaemia in a patient with a phaeochromocytoma

Rienzi Diaz, Carlos Astudillo

Clinica Renaca, University of Valparaiso, 4 Poniente 332, Vina Del Mar, 2520192 , Chile

Correspondence to:
Rienzi Diaz, cardio{at}entelchile.net

SUMMARY

Phaeochromocytomas are rare catecholamine secreting tumours that usually present as paroxysms of hypertension associated with headache, palpitations and sweating. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with a phaeochromocytoma who presented with sudden onset of hypertension, syncope, and fever who later developed a multiple-organ failure secondary to a multiple organism bacteraemias due to transient episodes of intestinal ischaemia. After receiving full intensive care support, antibiotics and tumour removal, the patient made a complete recovery and he is at present doing well. This case illustrates that high concentrations of catecholamine secreted by a phaeochromocytoma might cause multiple organ failure syndrome secondary to multiple organism bacteraemias due to transient episodes of intestinal ischaemia.


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