Akut binjuresvikt. Lätt att missa Waterhouse-Friderichsens syndrom, visar två fall
Sammanfattning
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (WFS) is defined as bilateral adrenal hemorrhage followed by adrenal insufficiency.
We wish to report two patients with post-surgically occurring WFS associated with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis and heparine induced trombocytopaenia respectively.
In patients suffering from sepsis or being treated with anticoagulant therapy a prompt awareness of adrenal failure is mandatory, especially when associated with extensive surgery. Deteriorating vital signs could strengthen the suspicion.
Immediate initiation of corticosteroid therapy can be life-saving in cases of clinically and/or radiologically suspected adrenal insufficiency.