Adrenal Emergencies in the Acute Care Setting

Acute adrenal emergencies are rare but potentially life-threatening conditions with associated high morbidity and mortality if unrecognized or untreated. Endocrine emergencies related to the adrenal gland present in the traumatic or nontraumatic setting. Hemorrhage may occur in the setting of trauma or may be due to severe illness or tumor rupture. Adrenal tumors such as an adrenal adenoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, or ectopic tumors may result in a crisis state. High clinical suspicion and prompt initiation of treatment are critical in the diagnosis and management of adrenal emergencies. In general, if a high index of suspicion occurs in the setting of an adrenal emergency, treatment should not be delayed for diagnostic confirmation. This chapter outlines the medical and surgical interventions for these rare but life-threatening emergencies.