Misdiagnosed, Caused Death

I live in MD and in July of 2001 my husband died of pheocromcytoma, tumor of the adrenial gland. He was 31. We had visited the ER atleast 10 times prior with the same complaints: nasuea, vomiting, racing heart, anxiety. We were always told his reflux was to blame. When in the ER he would be admitted and standard tests done. He would have an elevated gluclose level and hypertension but this would soon stabilize. They referred him to cardiologist for stress test and that was excellent. In hospital on the next to the last visit before his death they did perform a chest x-ray and abdominal CAT scan, we were told all were negative and his diagnosis of reflux was to blame. On his last visit they again admitted him due to he had some chest discomfort and at 10pm he complained of severe chest pain and vomiting. The administered nitro but never hooked him up to telemetry. When they checked him 41/2 hours later his heart had stopped while sitting in a chair close to the bathroom. I know this is a rare disorder but I do not feel that should be an excuse for not ruling it out as a possibility. I thought that was their job. We have an 18 month old baby girl and I want to make sure I don't let my husband nor my daughter down and do the right thing. Hopefully this will help someone else with same problem find an accurate diagnosis. Should this be something I should persue?

[vrzirn]

Pheochromocytomas are very rare tumors of the adrenal medulla or paraganglion. There is a 10% genetic component.Most, but not all pheos can be localized with a CT scan or MRI.These are called "lurking" pheos. A specialist center may provide radio pharmeceuticals as a new approach in depicting a primary malignant pheo.
Usually, it is the discovery of a metastases that reveals the malignancy. It can involve the urinary bladder, right atrium, inferior vena cava, liver, brainstem. Some metastases have presented 10 years following the resection of the primary adrenal lesion.The patients often complain of headache, palpitations, and sweating. 97% have hypertension.3% do not!
Pheo resection consistently involves a very high risk of hypotension during induction of anesthesia and removal of tumor. There can also be damage to the spleen if an abdominal approach is selected. Other complications are frequent.
A pheo should be suspected in all young adults with hypertension.From what you say in your post, your husband's HTN was only transistory and he did have the usual scans and evaluations by several doctors.
I know you are looking for answers but I do not believe you will be able to prove any malpractice or negligence on the part of the doctors involved in your husband's care. A mis-diagnosis, especially for such an occult tumor, is not necessarily mal-practice.
Of course, you are free to have his medical records reviewed by an attorney should you choose to pursue this. What was listed as cause of death?
I know this is small comfort now, but you are a young woman with many years ahead. In time, you will be happy again. Best of luck.