Addison's disease presenting with an acute abdomen and complicated by cardiomyopathy

Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy as a complication of adrenal cortex insufficiency: a case report

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular manifestations associated with Addison's disease are previously documented. We described a case of an 11-year-old girl who developed dilated cardiomyopathy as a complication to Addison's disease. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy resulted in near-complete recovery of cardiac function. It is the first reported case of reversible cardiomyopathy as a complication of primary adrenal insufficiency in Syria.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 11-year-old Caucasian girl with no significant past medical history presented with abdominal pain, vomiting after meals, and a low-grade fever. A physical examination and laboratory evaluation suggested primary adrenal insufficiency. An echocardiogram showed changes consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy. Causes of primary adrenal insufficiency other than autoimmune were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a rare complication of primary adrenal insufficiency. Proper treatment of adrenal insufficiency with glucocorticoid replacement therapy resulted in restoration of normal cardiac function.

Rhabdomyolysis in a patient complicated with hypopituitarism and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and the literature review

INTRODUCTION

Muscular symptoms, including stiffness, myalgia, cramps, and fatigue, are present in the majority of the patients with hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism, but rhabdomyolysis, the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle, is a rare manifestation. In most patients who develop rhabdomyolysis, precipitating factors, such as strenuous exercise or use of lipid-lowering drugs, can be identified.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 23-year-old male with primary hypopituitarism who developed acute renal impairment (AKI) with rhabdomyolysis after strenuous physical activity (push-ups). His blood test confirmed marked hypopituitarism. Severe elevation of serum CK consistent with rhabdomyolysis was noted and an elevated creatinine indicated AKI and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Patient's condition improved significantly after continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), glucocorticoid hormone replacement therapy and aggressive hydration. MODS with rhabdomyolysis in patients with hypothyroidism is quite rare and we expect that this case report adds to the existing literature on this subject. We also emphasize that thyroid and adrenal gland status should be evaluated in patients with unexplained AKI, MODS and presenting with the symptoms of muscle involvement.

LITERATURE REVIEW

We respectively reviewed 23 patients with hypopituitarism, adrenal Insufficiency and hypothyroidism induced rhabdomyolysis who were involved in the past 40 years relevant literatures.

CONCLUSION

We report a successfully treated case of rhabdomyolysis, which is a rare but potentially serious complication of hypopituitarism. Screening for endocrine abnormality in patients with elevated muscle enzymes should be considered, since an early diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential to prevent rhabdomyolysis and its consequences.

Acute reversible cardiomyopathy and heart failure in a child with acute adrenal crisis

Acute adrenal crisis is a life-threatening disorder. Cardiovascular complications of the condition are usually limited to hypovolaemic hypotension and shock. An acute reversible cardiomyopathy and heart failure in association with acute adrenal crisis is rarely reported, particularly in children. A 6-year-old girl with adrenal crisis which was complicated by acute reversible cardiomyopathy is reported. Inotropic and ventilatory support in addition to intravenous hydrocortisone and furosemide therapy were required to achieve cardiovascular stability. The cardiomyopathy resolved over 5 days and she was discharged with normal cardiac and intellectual functions. Cardiomyopathy should be considered in patients with acute adrenal crisis demonstrating any symptoms or signs of heart failure.

Hyponatremia in a Teenager: A Rare Diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte alteration which has the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Endocrine disorders, such as primary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency are uncommon causes of hyponatremia. We present the case of a teenager with symptomatic hyponatremia caused by a rare disorder.

CASE

A 17-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, asthenia, and weight loss. He was in poor general condition, hypotensive, and he had dry mucous membranes and skin as well as mucosa hyperpigmentation. The laboratory findings showed severe hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and renal dysfunction. The patient started inotropic support and antibiotics. Plasma cortisol and corticotropin levels allowed the diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency. He began replacement therapy with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone, with gradual symptom resolution. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed adrenal hypoplasia. Findings for antiadrenal and antithyroid antibodies were positive, allowing the diagnosis of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II.

DISCUSSION

Adrenal insufficiency is a rare disease, especially in children, and its clinical manifestations are due to glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency. In most of the cases, symptoms are nonspecific, requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. If the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, acute adrenal insufficiency carries a high morbidity and mortality.

'Diabetic ketoacidosis may not always be the answer…'

We present the interesting case of a 9-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes mellitus. He presented to the emergency department extremely unwell and the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis was promptly performed. He was started on the local diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol, but his recovery remained slow. The possibility of an underlying pathology was later addressed and led to the diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency. This case highlights the difficulty in diagnosis of childhood Addison's disease due to its vague and non-specific symptoms and the importance of a high degree of clinical suspicion. This case also highlights the existence of autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes and the ongoing need to increase awareness and screening of these conditions.

Adrenal crisis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia

Adrenal crisis is a group of clinical manifestation predominantly with hypotensive shock, electrolyte imbalance in a patient with adrenal insufficiency or in a patient who was abruptly withdrawn from glucocorticoid treatment acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is one of the most common acute leukaemia in adults. Though the above diseases are commonly seen in individual patients, the coexistence of both conditions in the same patient is rare. We reported a 64-year-old African-American man with a history of bilateral deep vein thrombosis, who presented initially with fatigue, neutropenia and macrocytic anaemia. The patient developed a small bowel obstruction during his first hospital course, which resolved spontaneously with conservative management after an exploratory laparotomy. While waiting for his bone marrow biopsy, the patient developed hypotension, hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia for which adrenal crisis was suspected. Later on, laboratory studies confirmed the diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency and the bone marrow was conclusive for AML.

Cardiac function in congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a pattern of reversible cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate cardiac function in infants with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) before and after corticosteroid replacement therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

This prospective, case-control study included 9 infants with CAH. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at presentation and after corticosteroid replacement therapy. Six term infants underwent 2 echocardiograms each and served as the control group. Data on fractional shortening (FS), rate-corrected velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf), wall stress, tissue Doppler indices, myocardial performance index, left ventricular mass, and Vcf/wall stress were obtained.

RESULTS

The infants with CAH exhibited myocardial dysfunction at baseline and lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared with the control group. FS, a measure of systolic contractility, differed significantly from before to after corticosteroid treatment (mean, 32.3%±4.7% pretreatment, 39.9%±5.0% posttreatment). Vcf, a preload-independent measure of cardiac contractility, also differed significantly before and after treatment (mean, 1.23±0.16 circumferences/second pretreatment, 1.45±0.22 circumferences/second posttreatment). SBP was also lower (mean, 84±9.3 mmHg) and improved with treatment (mean, 95±4.8 mmHg). The control group demonstrated no statistically significant changes in FS, Vcf, or SBP. There was a change in left ventricular mass in the control group between the 2 studies.

CONCLUSION

Newborns with CAH have evidence for cardiac dysfunction at baseline that reverses with corticosteroid replacement therapy. These data suggest that corticosteroids play a direct role in modulating cardiac function in the newborn.

Acute reversible cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock in a patient with Addisonian crisis: a case report

A 42 year-old female, admitted to the ICU, with Addisonian crisis developed acute cardiopulmonary failure after hydrocortisone therapy was initiated. An echocardiogram showed severe reduction in the left-ventricular ejection fraction. Additionally, profound ECG abnormalities with diffuse ST-elevation and decreased QRS-amplitudes occurred, whereas Troponin-I was only moderately increased. Chest X-ray displayed bilateral pulmonary edema. The patient's condition culminated in respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock requiring catecholamines and ventilatory support. After a week, she had recovered uneventfully.