Using telemedicine to manage a patient with a hypertensive emergency due to pheochromocytoma.

Abstract

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of telemedicine on a global scale. In endocrinology, telemedicine has mainly been used in relation to chronic diseases, including diabetes. Herein, we report the case of an 18-year-old woman with a hypertensive emergency due to a pheochromocytoma who was quickly diagnosed and treated using telemedicine. The patient was referred to a cardiovascular hospital because of fatigue and sweating that did not improve with carvedilol. She had fluctuating blood pressure and tachycardia. Subsequently, since her thyroid function was normal, endocrine hypertension not due to thyroid dysfunction was suspected; a case consultation was made by phone to our clinic. Plain computed tomography (CT) was recommended owing to the high possibility of a pheochromocytoma; the CT scan showed an adrenal tumor with a 30 mm diameter. To assess her condition, endocrinologists, together with the attending doctor, interviewed her and her family directly using an online tool to obtain detailed information. We thus determined that she was at risk of a pheochromocytoma crisis. She was transferred to our hospital immediately for treatment, was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, and underwent surgery. Telemedicine, especially involving doctor-to-patient with doctor consultations, can be effective in treating rare and emergent medical conditions such as pheochromocytoma crisis.

Learning points: Telemedicine can be used for chronic diseases and emergency conditions. Online doctor-to-patient with doctor (D-to-P with D) consultations are useful when the expert opinion of a highly specialized physician present in a different geographical location is required. Telemedicine, especially D-to-P with D online consultations, can be effectively used for the diagnosis of rare and emergent medical conditions, such as pheochromocytoma crisis.