Abdominal Distension and Vascular Collapse

J Miss State Med Assoc. 2016 Apr;57(4):113-5.

Abstract

We present the case of a 43-year-old gentleman who presented to the emergency room with acute abdominal distension, confusion and vascular collapse. The emergent radiologic imaging obtained showed massive bilateral adrenal enlargement, but despite the initial clinical suspicion of possible overwhelming sepsis and/or massive abdominal/intralesional hemorrhage, lab tests based obtained rapidly confirmed the diagnosis of acute Addisonian crisis which responded dramatically to adrenocorticoid hormone replacement therapy and aggressive fluid resuscitation. The patient's established history of metastatic lung cancer confirmed this as a case of metastatic massive bilateral adrenal metastases with an initial presentation of acute adrenal insufficiency which is uncommon in the setting of metastatic carcinomatosis but more typically associated with lymphomas. Recognition of this clinical possibility is vital to enable rapid diagnosis and consequent life saving therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / secondary
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / drug therapy*
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / therapy
  • Adult
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Emergencies
  • Fluid Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology*
  • Radiography
  • Shock / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones