Brain Metastasis of Pheochromocytoma: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

Background: Pheochromocytoma brain metastasis is extremely rare. Few cases have been reported in the literature. Therefore, diagnosis and effective treatment of these lesions are difficult.

Case Description: Here, we report the case of 29-year-old woman, who was operated on for a right adrenal pheochromocytoma. Fourteen months later, a posterior fossa tumor was diagnosed. Radiologic findings mimicked an extra-axial lesion. The radiologic differential diagnosis was difficult even using magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy. The patient was operated on through a retrosigmoid approach. Local recurrence occurred 6 months after first surgery. The patient died 1 month later, despite a second operation.

Conclusions: Although the occurrence of brain metastases in pheochromocytoma is not prevalent, patients presenting with suggestive features need to be carefully considered. Magnetic resonance imaging can help in differential diagnosis with a primary brain tumor. There are no established guidelines for the treatment of pheochromocytoma brain metastasis, for which the prognosis remains dismal, despite effective surgery.