An unusual presentation of a pheochromocytoma

The authors report the case of a pheochromocytoma occurring after external palpation of the anesthetized patient’s abdomen. Previous examinations in the awake state had been unremarkable. Labetalol was initially given to treat the hypertensive crisis. Pulmonary edema and reversible catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy developed. A pulmonary artery flotation catheter proved invaluable in managing the cardiovascular instability during the crisis. The perioperative findings and rarer sequelae of pheochromocytomas, and their subsequent management, are discussed.