METHODS: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging was suggestive of a concomitant second primary from the prostate.
RESULTS: This case highlights not only a rare initial manifestation of prostate cancer, but also the role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in detecting a clinically unsuspected second malignancy.
CONCLUSION: It potentially corroborates the possible association of both diseases, as has been reported before.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 41-year-old man with previous bilateral pheochromocytoma presented with chest pain. He was suffering from cardiac failure and persistent hypotension requiring an inotrope. Cardiac markers, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram confirmed acute myocardial infarct with poor ejection fraction and global hypokinesia. An (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scan showed progressive left suprarenal and organ of Zuckerkandl pheochromocytomas. Blood pressure stabilisation proved challenging but was achieved by titrating an incremental dose of α-blocker against a tapering inotropic dose.
CONCLUSION: This case showed the efficacy of an α-blocker despite persistent hypotension in a patient with pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy.