Antiphospholipid antibodies and adrenal hemorrhage

We recently encountered two cases of massive bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. A search of the records of this institution covering the past 15 years revealed two additional patients with massive adrenal hemorrhage associated with evidence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Three of these four patients were receiving anticoagulant drug therapy. The presence of the antiphospholipid antibodies may increase the risk of massive adrenal hemorrhage, particularly in patients who receive anticoagulant drugs.