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Case report
Adrenal lymphoma presenting as primary hypoadrenalism in the elderly
  1. Raghav Bhargava and
  2. Anthony Dixon
  1. Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Raghav Bhargava, raghavbhargava90{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Adrenal lymphoma causing primary hypoadrenalism in the elderly is a very rare finding. We describe a case of an 85-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital. He had a short history of hypotension and unresponsiveness. He was referred to the endocrine team, after a CT scan of his thorax abdomen and pelvis demonstrated significant enlargement of both his adrenal glands with associated lymphadenopathy. This scan was originally done to rule out an occult intra-abdominal malignancy. In addition, a tetracosactide (short Synacthen) test demonstrated adrenal insufficiency. This case demonstrates that adrenal lymphoma should be considered as an important differential when there is evidence of adrenal gland hyperplasia, lymphadenopathy and adrenal insufficiency.

  • adrenal disorders
  • haematology (incl blood transfusion)

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Footnotes

  • Contributors RB and AD made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the work. RB was involved in drafting the work and revising it critically for important intellectual content. RB and AD approved the final version to be published.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Patient consent for publication Next of kin consent obtained.