Suprarenal sympathetic syndrome (pheochromocytoma syndrome; adrenal sympathetic syndrome; adrenal medulla tumor syndrome) 1

General: Tumors producing increased secretion of norepinephrine and epinephrine deriving from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla; more common in males (3:2); symptoms occur in paroxysms or attacks; precipitated by emotional upsets; predilection for the right adrenal.

Ocular: Spasm of retinal arteries with associated cotton-wool exudates; flame-shaped hemorrhages; papilledema; pupillary dilation; neovascularization of retina; following removal of the tumor there may be macular scarring and optic atrophy.

Clinical: Hypertension; tachycardia; severe anxiety; headache; nervous tension; sweating; pallor; nausea; polyuria; polydipsia; association with neurofibromatosis and von Hippel disease.

Bruce GM. Changes in the ocular fundus associated with pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland. Arch Ophthalmol 1948; 39:707.

Lowden BA, Harris GS. Pheochromocytoma and von Hippel-Lindau's disease. Can J Ophthalmol 1976; 11:282-289.

Maher ER, et al. Clinical features and natural history of von Hippel-Lindau disease. Q J Med 1990; 66:233.

Modlin IM, et al. Phaechromocytoma in 72 patients: Clinical and diagnostic features, treatment and long-term results. Br J Surg 1979; 66:456.

Saadat H, Bahrami V. Blindness: a postoperative complication of pheochromocytoma. Va Med 1977; 104:38-40.