Pseudopheochromocytoma induced by anxiolytic withdrawal

摘要: Symptomatic paroxysmal hypertension without significantly elevated catecholamine concentrations and with no evidence of an underlying adrenal tumor is known as pseudopheochromocytoma. We describe the case a female patient hypertensive crises accompanied by headache, vertigo, tachycardia, nausea altered mental status. Previously, she was treated for longer period alprazolam due to panic disorder. Causes secondary were excluded. Neurological triggers (intracranial tumor, cerebral vascular lesions, hemorrhage, epilepsy) could not be detected. Setting diagnosis pseudopheochromocytoma treatment initiated alpha- beta-blockers resulting in reduced frequency symptoms. Alprazolam restarted at daily dose 1 mg. The patient’s clinical condition improved rapidly dosage decreased. conclude that withdrawal anxiolytic therapeutic regimen may generate sympathetic overdrive life-threatening malignant encephalopathy. emphasize can diagnosed only after exclusion causes hypertension. highlight importance psychopharmacological approach this entity.