Traumatic adrenal hemorrhage in children: an indicator of visceral injury

Adrenal hemorrhage (AH) was identified in 1% of 313 children admitted to the trauma unit with abdominal or thoracoabdominal blunt trauma within a 10-year period (1989-1999). Ultrasound examination was useful as a first diagnostic measure in stable children, but computed tomography (CT) is considered to be a better diagnostic tool. Associated visceral injury is common, and liver trauma was present in all 3 cases. Lesions are mainly right-sided, but left-sided or bilateral injuries have also been reported. A few cases are only recognized during surgery or necropsy. Lower-chest injury was seen in one-half of the cases and can result in severe morbidity. AH should not be considered rare, and the widespread use of CT proves that it is a strong indicator of associated visceral injury.