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Seizures as a presenting symptom of phaeochromocytoma in a young soldier

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 17, pages 73–75 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

New onset of seizures in young adults is frequently related to alcohol withdrawal, toxic exposure, central nervous system trauma and neoplasm. We describe a young soldier presenting to the emergency department with seizures and transient coma. On admission, he had hypertension, marked leukocytosis, hyper-glycaemia, acidosis, elevated creatinine and elevated creatine phosphokinase of muscle origin. A thorough work-up revealed elevated urinary catecholamines, and a left adrenal mass was found on MRI and MIBG scan. The patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy and completely recovered. This is the first description of seizures as a presenting symptom of phaeochromo-cytoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine D, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel

    A Leiba & E Grossman

  2. Health Services Center, IDF MC, Israel

    A Leiba & Y Bar-Dayan

  3. Central Neurology Clinic, IDF MC, Israel

    R R Leker

  4. Department of Imaging, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

    S Apter

Authors
  1. A Leiba
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  2. Y Bar-Dayan
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  3. R R Leker
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  4. S Apter
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  5. E Grossman
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Correspondence to E Grossman.

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Leiba, A., Bar-Dayan, Y., Leker, R. et al. Seizures as a presenting symptom of phaeochromocytoma in a young soldier. J Hum Hypertens 17, 73–75 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001499

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