ABSTRACT
Introduction: Patients with phaeochromocytoma have haemodynamic instability during adrenalectomy.
Clinical Picture: A case showing major swings of blood pressure during tumour handling. Treatment: Magnesium sulphate infusion alone failed to prevent severe hypertension. Outcome: The patient had to be given phentolamine and sodium nitroprusside to control the severe hypertension. Conclusion: The greatest value of magnesium sulphate is in controlling catecholamine release at induction and intubation, and in association with other agents in controlling arrhythmias and hypertension during tumour handling.Phaeochromocytomas are catecholamine-secreting tumours of the chromaffin cells of the body derived from neural crest tissue. They may secrete both adrenaline and noradrenaline in varying proportions.
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