Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage and acute adrenal insufficiency in a blunt abdominal trauma: a case-report and literature review

• Published in: European journal of emergency medicine Vol. 11; no. 3; p. 164
• Main Authors: Francque, Sven M, Schwagten, Veerle M, Ysebaert, Dirk K, Van Marck, Eric A, Beaucourt, Luc A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Abdominal Injuries - complications; Abdominal Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Adrenal Gland Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Adrenal Gland Diseases - etiology; Adrenal Gland Diseases - surgery; Adult; Emergency Medical Services - methods; Fatal Outcome; Heart Arrest - etiology; Heart Arrest - therapy; Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Hemorrhage - etiology; Hemorrhage - surgery; Humans; Male; Radiography, Abdominal; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - complications; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - diagnostic imaging

Blunt abdominal trauma is frequently associated with adrenal haemorrhage, and is preferentially diagnosed by computed tomography scan. Lesions are mostly unilateral and asymptomatic and are therefore frequently overlooked. Bilateral haemorrhage, however, has a high mortality rate as a result of acut...