6728 Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage: Cause Or Consequence?

Abstract Disclosure: M.N. Rayan: None. R. Horner: None. A. Valenciaga: None. L.E. Ryan: None. Introduction: Before the advent of the CT scan, bilateral adrenal hemorrhage was primarily discovered post-mortem in patients who had succumbed to sepsis, burns, or anticoagulant therapy. Today, non-traumatic hemorrhage is recognized as an infrequent, yet potentially lethal diagnosis causing clinical deterioration in acutely ill patients. Clinical Case: Our patient is a 64-year-old-male with a medical history of Myelodysplastic Syndrome initially presented to an external ED with abdominal pain. CT abdomen revealed hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and new bilateral adrenal masses—absent in an MRI conducted a year earlier. He was treated conservatively and subsequently discharged. Two weeks later, he returned to the hospital with severe right sided flank pain. His hemoglobin and platelet counts dropped from 11.5 g/dL and 309 K/uL during the previous ED visit to 7.7 g/dL and 80 K/uL, respectively. Additionally, his PT/INR, PTT, fibrinogen, and D-Dimer levels were elevated. A repeat CT scan indicated a significant enlargement of the right adrenal mass, raising suspicion of adrenal hemorrhage. He was appropriately transfused, and a BM biopsy was performed to evaluate for acute transformation of underlying MDS. Cortisol levels were monitored daily for adrenal insufficiency. A complicated hospital course ensued marked by worsening anemia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy, accompanied by high fevers and new-onset atrial fibrillation. Mixing studies showed absence of a factor inhibitor ruling out acquired forms of Hemophilia. Infectious workup including fungal and viral serologies returned negative. A PET scan revealed several small hypermetabolic hypodense liver lesions, and hypermetabolic activity diffusely in the spleen, and adrenal glands leading to suspicion of metastasis. Results of the BM biopsy returned revealing hypercellularity, with aggregates of hemosiderin-laden macrophages replacing the bone marrow space with associated necrosis. Worsening abdominal pain with hematochezia prompted an endoscopy, confirming a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. Concurrently, seizure activity and altered mentation led to a head CT, revealing new metastatic lesions that confirmed the rapid progression of the disease. Subsequently, the patient was transitioned to comfort care and passed away. Clinical Lesson: It is crucial to review the various causes of adrenal hemorrhage, understand the challenges associated with interpreting adrenal imaging, emphasize the need to monitor adrenal function, and consider the occasional necessity for tissue sampling. In this clinical scenario, metastases with hemorrhage were the most likely etiology. The causes of adrenal hemorrhage are not always apparent; in this presentation, the consequence of the underlying disease state ultimately led to the initial presenting symptom of abdominal pain. Presentation: 6/2/2024

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Journal of the Endocrine Society
Published
2024-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvae163.120
Primary Topic
Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
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article
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article

6728 Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage: Cause Or Consequence?

Laura E. Ryan, Melanie Natasha Rayan, Robert Horner, Anisley Valenciaga
Journal of the Endocrine Society
Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
article

6728 Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage: Cause Or Consequence?

Laura E. Ryan, Melanie Natasha Rayan, Robert Horner, Anisley Valenciaga
article en

Abstract

Abstract Disclosure: M.N. Rayan: None. R. Horner: None. A. Valenciaga: None. L.E. Ryan: None. Introduction: Before the advent of the CT scan, bilateral adrenal hemorrhage was primarily discovered post-mortem in patients who had succumbed to sepsis, burns, or anticoagulant therapy. Today, non-traumatic hemorrhage is recognized as an infrequent, yet potentially lethal diagnosis causing clinical deterioration in acutely ill patients. Clinical Case: Our patient is a 64-year-old-male with a medical history of Myelodysplastic Syndrome initially presented to an external ED with abdominal pain. CT abdomen revealed hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and new bilateral adrenal masses—absent in an MRI conducted a year earlier. He was treated conservatively and subsequently discharged. Two weeks later, he returned to the hospital with severe right sided flank pain. His hemoglobin and platelet counts dropped from 11.5 g/dL and 309 K/uL during the previous ED visit to 7.7 g/dL and 80 K/uL, respectively. Additionally, his PT/INR, PTT, fibrinogen, and D-Dimer levels were elevated. A repeat CT scan indicated a significant enlargement of the right adrenal mass, raising suspicion of adrenal hemorrhage. He was appropriately transfused, and a BM biopsy was performed to evaluate for acute transformation of underlying MDS. Cortisol levels were monitored daily for adrenal insufficiency. A complicated hospital course ensued marked by worsening anemia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy, accompanied by high fevers and new-onset atrial fibrillation. Mixing studies showed absence of a factor inhibitor ruling out acquired forms of Hemophilia. Infectious workup including fungal and viral serologies returned negative. A PET scan revealed several small hypermetabolic hypodense liver lesions, and hypermetabolic activity diffusely in the spleen, and adrenal glands leading to suspicion of metastasis. Results of the BM biopsy returned revealing hypercellularity, with aggregates of hemosiderin-laden macrophages replacing the bone marrow space with associated necrosis. Worsening abdominal pain with hematochezia prompted an endoscopy, confirming a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. Concurrently, seizure activity and altered mentation led to a head CT, revealing new metastatic lesions that confirmed the rapid progression of the disease. Subsequently, the patient was transitioned to comfort care and passed away. Clinical Lesson: It is crucial to review the various causes of adrenal hemorrhage, understand the challenges associated with interpreting adrenal imaging, emphasize the need to monitor adrenal function, and consider the occasional necessity for tissue sampling. In this clinical scenario, metastases with hemorrhage were the most likely etiology. The causes of adrenal hemorrhage are not always apparent; in this presentation, the consequence of the underlying disease state ultimately led to the initial presenting symptom of abdominal pain. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Journal of the Endocrine SocietyVol. 8(Supplement_1)
The Ohio State University (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
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