A case of cystic pheochromocytoma mimicking liver abscess

A 64-year-old man presented to our hospital feeling ill with epigastralgia. Computed tomography (CT) showed right suprarenal cystic tumor. High urinary catecholamine level was noted. Based on metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging and blood tests, preoperative diagnosis was adrenal pheochromocytoma. En-bloc resection of the tumor and the right kidney was performed. The cyst contained yellowish serous fluid, which had a catecholamine level about 3,000 times that in the blood. The histological diagnosis was cystic pheochromocytoma. Pathogenesis of cystic adrenal tumor is discussed briefly.