Acute adrenal insufficiency after large-dose glucocorticoids for spinal cord injury

Anesth Analg. 2004 Dec;99(6):1813-1814. doi: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000138058.08094.A4.

Abstract

A 24- to 48-h course of large-dose glucocorticoid therapy is often used in the acute management of spinal cord injury. We describe a patient who developed adrenal insufficiency (AI) after this protocol. Although a definitive causal relationship between the steroids and AI was not established, their temporal association and the exclusion of other possible etiologies led us to postulate that AI was a complication of the steroid protocol. Clinicians should, therefore, consider AI in patients with spinal cord injury receiving glucocorticoids, a population in whom it may otherwise go undiagnosed and untreated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / diagnosis
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Adult
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Phenylephrine / therapeutic use
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Phenylephrine
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone