A case report of the use of magnesium sulphate during anaesthesia in a patient who had adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma.
INTRODUCTION: Patients with phaeochromocytoma have haemodynamic instability during adrenalectomy. CLINICAL PICTURE: A case showing major swings of blood pressure during tumour handling. TREATMENT: Magnesium sulphate infusion alone failed to prevent severe hypertension. OUTCOME: The patient had to be given phentolamine and sodium nitroprusside to control the severe hypertension. CONCLUSION: The greatest value of magnesium sulphate is in controlling catecholamine release at induction and intubation, and in association with other agents in controlling arrhythmias and hypertension during tumour handling.