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.