Adenosine to facilitate the clipping of cerebral aneurysms: literature review.

Cerebral aneurysms have a high mortality rate when ruptured. Endovascular techniques have improved substantially in treating this pathology. However, surgical clip ligation remains the preferred option for some aneurysms.

Pheochromocytoma crisis induced by glucocorticoids: a report of four cases and review of the literature.

Context: Pheochromocytoma crisis (PC) is a rare life-threatening endocrine emergency that may present spontaneously or can be unmasked by 'triggers', including certain medications that provoke the release of catecholamines by tumors. Several isolated cases of PC have been reported after administration of exogenous glucocorticoids; evidence that these drugs cause adverse events in patients with pheochromocytoma is mainly anecdotal.

Patients: We report four cases of PC most likely induced by glucocorticoids and review seven previous reports in the literature linking steroid administration to the development of PC.

Adverse drug reactions in patients with phaeochromocytoma: incidence, prevention and management.

The dangers of phaeochromocytomas are mainly due to the capability of these neuroendocrine tumours to secrete large quantities of vasoactive catecholamines, thereby increasing blood pressure and causing other related adverse events or complications. Phaeochromocytomas are often missed, sometimes only becoming apparent during therapeutic interventions that provoke release or interfere with the disposition of catecholamines produced by the tumours. Because phaeochromocytomas are rare, evidence contraindicating use of specific drugs is largely anecdotal or based on case reports.