J Hum Hypertens 2003 Jan;17(1):73-5

Seizures as a presenting symptom of phaeochromocytoma in a young soldier

Leiba A, Bar-Dayan Y, Leker RR, Apter S, Grossman E

Internal Med D, Tel-Hashomer

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