Citation

Jimidar N, Ysebaert D, Twickler M, Spinhoven M, Dams K, Jorens PG. Acta Chir. Belg. 2018; ePub(ePub): 1-5.

Affiliation

Departments of Critical Care Medicine, Hepatobiliary, Transplantation and Endocrine Surgery , Antwerp University Hospital University of Antwerp , Edegem , Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00015458.2018.1515339

PMID

30270759

Abstract

Most adrenal injuries are asymptomatic. In traumatic events, adrenal haemorrhage is very likely to be accompanied by injuries to other organs. Isolated adrenal injury after trauma is very rare and mostly unilateral. We report a case of a 44-year-old male who suffered a major traffic accident with multiple trauma, including a bilateral adrenal haemorrhage. This caused a primary adrenal insufficiency, as proven with a cortisol stimulation test with synthetic corticotrophin. Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage is a very rare but potentially fatal disorder and should not be missed. This case illustrates that early diagnosis and prompt treatment with hydrocortisone may contribute to a beneficial outcome.

Language: en

Keywords

Addison’s disease; Bilateral; adrenal haemorrhage; adrenal insufficiency; blunt trauma