Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in Coronavirus disease 2019 patient: A case report

Abstract

Context

Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare condition with potentially life-threatening consequences as acute adrenal insufficiency. Early adrenal axis testing, as well as directed imaging, is crucial for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with coagulopathy and thromboembolic events.

Case decription

A 66-years-old woman presented with acute COVID-19 infection and primary adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenal hemorrhage (BAH). She had also a renal vein thrombosis. Her past medical history revealed primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). 4 weeks after discharge she had no signs of COVID-19 infection and her PCR test for COVID-19 was negative, but she still needed glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement therapy. The combination of APLS and COVID-19 was probably responsible of the adrenal event as a "two-hit" mechanism.

Conclusions

COVID-19 infection is associated with coagulopathy and thromboembolic events, including BAH. Adrenal insufficiency is life threatening, therefore we suggest to consider performing early adrenal axis testing for COVID-19 patients with clinical suspicion of adrenal insufficiency.