Objective To investigate the clinical features of multiple endocrine neoplasia ( MEN) associated with pheochromocytoma and anesthetic management during perioperative period. Methods Medical records of 12 patients who were operated upon for MEN associated with pheochromocytoma in our hospital from April 1977 to April 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic data, clinical manifestation, family history, biochemical examinations, type of MEN, the order of different surgical procedures for patients who had multiple operations and changes in hemodynamics were collected and analyzed. Results The 12 patients accounted for 5.6% (12/213) of the patients with pheochromocytoma admitted in the same period. Nine of the 12 patients had a diagnosis of MEN Ⅱa (Sipple syndrome) and three mixed MEN. Four patients with MEN type II a had a positive familial history. Five patients with other coexistent endocrine disorders underwent the excision of pheochromocytoma first, and only two of them had hypertensive symptoms when they were admitted. Seven patients without a history of hypertensive episodes received surgical treatment for pheochromocytoma as a second operation. The excision of pheochromocytoma was performed under general anesthesia ( in 8 patients ) or epidural anesthesia (in 4 patients). Marked hemodynamic fluctuations were recorded in 8 patients. There was no death.Conclusion Pheochromocytoma associated with other endocrine disorders in MEN may manifest itself as the main clinical symptom or most frequently as an occult tumor. Recognition of this feature is of importance to the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of both pheochromocytoma and MEN.

Objective To analyze the clinical data and features of malignant hyperthermia (MH) in Mainland China and address the problems associated with diagnosis and treatment of MH.Methods Thirty-four cases of MH which occurred in Mainland China from January 1978 to March 2004 were reviewed and analyzed. Results MH syndrome occurred more frequently in adolescents with more males than females and developed very often during oral surgery ( especially cleft lip and palate repair), orthopedic surgery and pediatric surgery for congenital anomalies. The main clinical manifestations included hypercapnia, high body temperature and muscle rigidity. In most cases diagnosis of MH was made based on clinical manifestations only without'in vitro contracture test the golden standard for diagnosis of MH. No specific treatment was available and no epidemiological study was done. Conclusion The report of MH has been increasing recently in Mainland China. Studies on MH should be intensified by establishing the standard of laboratory diagnosis of MH.