title: Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage as a complication of intravenous ACTH infusion in two patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: We report two patients with inflammatory bowel disease in whom intravenous corticotropin therapy was complicated by bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. In one, the initial presentation was acute and unilateral, simulating colonic perforation and/or abscess. The diagnosis was made only at exploratory laparotomy. In the second patient, the presentation was subacute; multiple episodes of adrenal hemorrhage occurred subsequent to the course of corticotropin, and ultimately, hypoadrenalinism developed. Pertinent clinical and computed tomographic findings are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Evanston Hospital/Northwestern University, Illinois.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dunlap
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Meiselman
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Breuer
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Panella
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Ficho
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone