INTRAPERICARDIAL PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Intrapericardial pheochromocytoma is a rare diagnosis.1-7 The first case description1 was published in 1974, and by 1983 only 3 such tumors had been reported.2 At present, <10 cases have been documented in the world's literature. The diagnosis and localization of these tumors (as is true of other extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas) are often difficult. The recent development of iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine nuclear scanning has assisted in diagnosis and localization of these neoplasms,1,3,4 whereas computerized tomographic studies or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging have assisted in more precise localization.5,6 At times, the diagnosis and localization of this tumor remains problematic. We report a case where transesophageal echocardiography provided unique information that resulted in the diagnosis of an intrapericardial pheochromocytoma. © 1992.