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Seizures as a presenting symptom of phaeochromocytoma in a young soldier

Abstract

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.

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Correspondence to E Grossman.

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Leiba, A., Bar-Dayan, Y., Leker, R. et al. Seizures as a presenting symptom of phaeochromocytoma in a young soldier. J Hum Hypertens 17, 73–75 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001499

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