Acute adrenal failure associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and homozygosity for MTHFR C677T

Intern Med. 2011;50(23):2923-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.50.6342. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

Abstract

A 47-year-old woman with a recent clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis developed acute adrenal failure. Initial computed tomograms of the abdomen showed bilateral adrenal swelling which evolved into bilateral adrenal hemorrhage on repeat examination a few days later. Laboratory investigations revealed a previously undiagnosed primary antiphospholipid syndrome and homozygosity for the MTHFR C677T mutation with hyperhomocysteinemia. This case highlights the protean clinical manifestations of adrenal vascular accidents and the need for a thorough search for underlying prothrombotic states in this setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / complications
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / genetics*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Homozygote*
  • Humans
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)