A case of pheochromocytoma accompanied with augmentation of growth hormone due to administration of growth hormone releasing hormone

A 28-year-old woman with right adrenal tumor had paroxysmal hypertension since 8 months ago. General laboratory data including urinalysis, hematology, liver function, renal function and electrolytes were normal. Urinary excretion of adrenaline, metanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid levels were elevated. In contrast, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, aldosterone, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and gastrin levels and urinary noradrenaline and normetanephrine levels were within the normal range. Normal growth hormone (GH) response to oral glucose ingestion test and thyrotropin releasing hormone-luteinizing hormone releasing hormone test was shown, however, augmentation of growth hormone (GH) response to GH releasing hormone (GHRH) was recognized. After removal of the tumor, which was compatible to pheochromocytoma histologically, her blood pressure, urinary excretion of catecholamine levels and augmentation of GH response to GHRH were normalized. It is concluded that augmentation of GH response to GHRH was due to pheochromocytoma.