This week's artwork was donated by Lonny, a pediatric cancer patient who received treatment at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia . Pheochromocytoma in a long-term hemodialysis patient, discovered as an adrenal incidentaloma. MR differentiation of phaeochromocytoma from other adrenal lesions based on qualitative analysis of T2 relaxation times.
Pheochromocytomas are rare endocrine tumors.
They can be associated with a wide variety of symptoms, although hypertension is the most consistent clinical sign. Extensive investigation is ongoing to determine markers for the presence of these tumors and diagnostic tests that localize the site of pheochromocytomas, with extensive research at the molecular level. New surgical techniques are being employed, particularly laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A case of pheochromocytoma was discovered incidentally during long-term hemodialysis for chronic renal failure due to acquired cystic kidney disease. The patient is currently under observation and conservative treatment due to the possible occurrence of arterial hypotension after resection of the tumor and to lesser possibility of the malignancy.