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Updated: May 29, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Successful treatment for a case of near-fatal secondary adrenal insufficiency
Y Yanagawa1, S Nishida, Y Takihata
1Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki Tokorozawa Saitama, Japan 359-8513. yanagawa@ndmc.ac.jp
Abstract:
A thirty-six-year old female with shock was found to be unconsciousness a few days after developing a respiratory infection. Her past medical history included autoimmune hypothyroidism. Her state of shock was not controlled by massive fluid resuscitation with a vasopressor and antibiotics. However an infusion of 250 mg methylprednisolone dramatically improved her shock state. Further examination indicated secondary acute adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency may complicate other endocrine disorders. Accordingly, a physician should consider hypoadrenocorticism, when patients are in a state of refractory shock in spite of massive infusion with a vasopressor especially in patients with other endocrine disorders.
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