A rare presentation of clinically intractable hypertension: Pancreatic paraganglioma

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with underlying disease of hypertension who presented with biliary colic. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography showed an enhancing mass in the uncinate process of the pancreas. Pylorus-sparing Whipple procedure was performed for complete tumor excision. Hypertensive crisis developed after Whipple, which improved after continuous intravenous nicardipine infusion. Pathology revealed a paraganglioma. A 24-h catecholamine urine test showed increased norepinephrine and vanillylmandelic acid level. Functional paraganglioma was diagnosed.
Source: Advances in Digestive Medicine - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research