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Case Reports: Rare disease
Spontaneous adrenal haemorrhage in pregnancy and review of the literature
  1. Ekta Patel1,
  2. Rabia Zill-E-Huma2 and
  3. Eleftheria Demertzidou1
  1. 1Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK
  2. 2Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Ekta Patel; ekta_19{at}hotmail.co.uk

Abstract

Spontaneous adrenal haemorrhage (SAH) is a rare condition. The incidence of adrenal haemorrhage in pregnancy is currently not known; however, an association with pregnancy has been reported.

An acute presentation with severe back or flank pain should raise suspicion of this condition. Diagnosis is based on imaging. An ultrasound scan is a basic and readily available investigation in pregnancy to rule out renal and suprarenal pathology while CT or MRI scan can help to confirm the diagnosis. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, involving the obstetric, anaesthetic, medical and endocrine team, is essential in management of this condition.

We present a case of an SAH; managed conservatively, in an otherwise healthy and low-risk pregnant woman and describe the literature review on this rare condition, including pathophysiology and management.

  • Adrenal disorders
  • Obstetrics and gynaecology
  • Pregnancy
  • Radiology

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-246240

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors RZ-E-H, EP and ED conceived the article. EP and ED researched and wrote the article. RZ-E-H reviewed, analysed and edited the article. All authors agreed on final version.

    • 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.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

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