1. Elevated IL-6 levels in a patient with pheochromocytoma.
- Author
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Hakke M, Bhagwat NM, Gada JV, and Misra S
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Adult, Naproxen therapeutic use, Fever etiology, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal therapeutic use, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal administration & dosage, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Pheochromocytoma complications, Pheochromocytoma surgery, Pheochromocytoma blood, Adrenal Gland Neoplasms complications, Adrenal Gland Neoplasms surgery, Adrenal Gland Neoplasms diagnosis, Adrenal Gland Neoplasms blood, Interleukin-6 blood, Adrenalectomy
- Abstract
Pheochromocytoma is a chromaffin cell-derived adrenal medullary tumour and usually presents with paroxysms of hypertension, palpitations, sweating and headache due to excessive catecholamine release. These tumours can also secrete a variety of bioactive neuropeptides and hormones other than catecholamines, resulting in unusual clinical manifestations. We report a female in her mid-30s who presented with fever, anaemia, thrombocytosis and markedly elevated inflammatory markers. The fever profile, including cultures, was negative. Contrast-enhanced CT of abdomen showed a large solid-cystic right adrenal lesion with elevated plasma-free normetanephrine levels suggestive of pheochromocytoma. The fever persisted despite empirical antibiotics and antipyretics. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were elevated (41.2 pg/mL (3-4 pg/mL)). She was initiated on naproxen (NPX) at a dose of 250 mg two times per day. The patient responded to NPX, and after stabilisation, she underwent an adrenalectomy. There was a complete resolution of fever with normalisation of IL-6 levels postoperatively., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Published
- 2024
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