Saturday, July 13, 2013

Pheochromocytoma

What is it ?
- A tumour of adrenal medulla

What does it secrete?
-Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline)

What is the incidence?
- very rare  - 1 in 50,000

Why does impaired glucose tolerance occur?
- Increased catecholamines ----> stimulation of lipolysis ---->High levels of free fatty acids----->Inhibition of glucose uptake by muscle cells

In pregnancy, it may be confused with severe pre-eclampsia.

A good article  - Pheochromocytoma in pregnancy

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