Acute adrenal insufficiency in the burn intensive care unit.
Acute adrenal insufficiency may underlie a confusing, stormy, intensive care unit course after a burn. The aetiology is most likely to be adrenal haemorrhage despite the absence of a coagulopathy. This report describes two patients who were diagnosed antemortem and successfully treated with replacement therapy. The aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of acute adrenal insufficiency in the intensive care unit is reviewed.
Sheridan
R L
RL
Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Ryan
C M
CM
Tompkins
R G
RG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone