An unusual diagnosis for persistent diarrhoea and vomiting

Identifying the etiology of chronic diarrhoea might be challenging in some patients, and before a diagnosis is made these patients may spend a substantial length of time with unresolved symptoms leading to uncertainty and anxiety that is severely impairing their life quality. A 45-year-old female was referred by her general practitioner with a 5-year history of increasingly frequent episodes of cyclical diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and intermittent palpitations. Contrast CT Abdomen/Pelvis revealed a 36x33x46 mm mass in the aorto caval region of her retro-peritoneum, just above the bifurcation. On the basis of her symptoms, CT findings and an elevated plasma metanephrine level of 2314pmol/L (normal range 80 – 510pmol/L), it was at this point a likely diagnosis of a phaeochromocytoma was made. The retroperitoneal mass was successfully resected, and the histology confirmed a Phaeochromocytoma. Her symptoms rapidly improved and she made a good recovery. This unusual case highlights some of the dilemmas that arise when investigating patients with chronic and recurrent diarrhoea and vomiting.