# Ata Ppgl Gi Symptom Management

> Manages gastrointestinal symptoms from catecholamine excess in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, addressing constipation, paralytic ileus, megacolon, or intestinal pseudo-obstruction/perforation. Triggered by clinician queries about treating GI symptoms in PPGL patients with constipation, abdominal distension, or nausea/vomiting.

- Skill: `dromlakhani/ata-ppgl-gi-symptom-management` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dromlakhani/ata-ppgl-gi-symptom-management`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dromlakhani/ata-ppgl-gi-symptom-management/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dromlakhani (https://skillmd.com/u/dromlakhani)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dromlakhani/ata-ppgl-gi-symptom-management

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# Manage gastrointestinal symptoms from catecholamine excess in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

## STEP 1 — Gather Information
Assess bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, abdominal distension, pain, nausea/vomiting; measure plasma-free metanephrines or 24‑hour urinary fractionated metanephrines/catecholamines; review blood pressure trends and abdominal imaging if obstruction suspected.

## STEP 2 — Rule In / Rule Out
Rule out mechanical obstruction (e.g., adhesions, tumor mass) with CT abdomen/pelvis; if imaging shows no mechanical cause and catecholamines are markedly elevated, rule in catecholamine‑induced GI dysmotility.

## STEP 3 — Classify or Stratify
Classify severity: mild constipation (≤3 stools/week), paralytic ileus (absent bowel sounds, distension), megacolon (colonic diameter >6 cm), or intestinal pseudo‑obstruction/perforation (signs of ischemia or free air).

## STEP 4 — Decide
For mild constipation: start oral metyrosine 0.5 g/day, titrate to 2–3 g/day as needed; add IV phentolamine 5 mg bolus then infusion if oral inadequate. For ileus/pseudo‑obstruction: give IV phentolamine 1 mg/kg bolus followed by infusion 0.1–0.5 mg/kg/h plus oral metyrosine; if perforation suspected, obtain surgical consult immediately.

## Clinical Guardrails / Mimics / Pitfalls
Avoid metoclopramide or domperidone (risk hypertensive crisis); selective α‑blockers (doxazosin) are ineffective for motility; monitor for hypotension and nausea during phentolamine; do not delay surgery if perforation signs appear.

## Concrete Clinical Example
A 45‑year‑old with known SDHB‑related PPGL presents with 5‑day constipation, abdominal distension, and nausea. BP 150/95 mmHg, urinary normetanephrine 12× ULN. CT shows no mechanical obstruction. Start oral metyrosine 1 g/day and IV phentolamine infusion; after 12 hours, bowel movements resume and distension improves.

**Source:** Japan Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma 2025, Japan Endocrine Society, 2025, DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ25-0165