The clinical syndrome associated with pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland is well recognized and the modern literature contains records of cases in which the condition was diagnosed and surgically treated and the patient cured. However, the classic symptoms are not invariably present, and occasionally this tumor is accidentally discovered at autopsy apparently unassociated with any symptom pattern or with the cause of death. In some instances medical aid is not sought until the terminal fulminating episode, during which the patient may present a variety of symptoms which tax the ingenuity of the most astute diagnostician. Such was the nature of the case to be presented.
REPORT OF A CASE
A 32 year old soldier, assigned to duty in India, became suddenly ill on Aug. 29, 1945, at 9 a.m., with palpitation, dyspnea, epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. The vomitus was watery in consistency, and, according to the patient, blood tinged.