ADDISONIAN CRISIS AND APPENDICITIS: A CASE REPORT
Authors: H O HAAR, M E SILVERSTEIN, X C CALLAS, A SMALL, T H McGAVACK
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1955)

Case Reports1 June 1955ADDISONIAN CRISIS AND APPENDICITIS: A CASE REPORTHELMUT O. HAAR, M.D., MARTIN E. SILVERSTEIN, M.D., XENOPHON C. CALLAS, M.D., ALLAN SMALL, M.D., THOMAS H. MCGAVACK, M.D., F.A.C.P.HELMUT O. HAAR, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, MARTIN E. SILVERSTEIN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, XENOPHON C. CALLAS, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ALLAN SMALL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, THOMAS H. MCGAVACK, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-42-6-1280 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe clinical picture of acute adrenal insufficiency may closely simulate that of acute abdominal inflammatory disease. The term "pseudoperitonitis" has been used to describe this syndrome.3 Therefore, a differential diagnosis between Addisonian crisis and an acute abdominal inflammation can sometimes be very difficult.3, 14Surgical procedures in cases of severe adrenal insufficiency are likely to lead to fatal results.2, 8, 11A careful examination for any manifestation of impending crisis is therefore indicated in every Addisonian patient with symptoms of acute abdominal disease. It is equally important in all persons with chronic abdominal pain for whom surgery is considered necessary...Bibliography1. BartelsJohnson ECC: Surgery in Addison's disease, Lahey Clinic Bull. 7: 200-207, 1952. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. Brezeau I: Med. Romana II, 4: 25, 1947. Google Scholar3. DettreMera GZ: Addison's disease and appendicitis, Wien. klin. Wchnschr. 62: 492, 1950. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. GreeneWaltersRowntree CHWLG: Surgical operations in Addison's disease: successful epididymectomy and orchidectomy for tuberculosis, Ann. Surg. 98: 1013, 1933; and Proc. Staff Meet., Mayo Clin. 7: 238, 1932. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. KeyOdellTaylor JARTLW: Failure of cortisone to delay or to prevent the healing of fractures in rats, J. Bone and Joint Surg. 34-A: 665, 1952. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. Laipply TC: Addison's disease due to cytotoxic contraction of adrenal cortex with sudden death four days after appendicitis, Ohio State M. J. 39: 652, 1943. Google Scholar7. Leavitt P: Addisonian crisis precipitated by acute appendicitis, New York State J. Med. 45: 1987 (Sept.) 1945. Google Scholar8. Moene I: Death after operation for chronic appendicitis in patient, Nord. med. 37: 643 (Mar.) 1948. MedlineGoogle Scholar9. PearsonWestWhitmoreRandall OHCDWFHT: Physiological effect of bilateral adrenalectomy in man, J. Clin. Investigation 31: 653, 1952 (in Soc. Proc.). Google Scholar10. RowntreeSnell LGAM: Clinical experience with Addison's disease, Ann. Int. Med. 3: 6, 1949. Google Scholar11. Rowntree LG: Clinical studies in Addison's disease, 1931, W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia. Google Scholar12. SchwartzDerrickPapper HSEM: The influence of anesthesia, operation and obstetrical delivery upon patients with adrenal cortical insufficiency, Surg., Gynec. and Obst. 94: 455, 1952. MedlineGoogle Scholar13. Siebenmann R: Die Wirkung von Desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA), Ascorbinsaeure und Cortisone (compound E) auf die Formalinarthritis der Ratte, Schweiz. Ztschr. f. Path. u. Bakt. 15: 174, 1952; abstract Am. J. Clin. Path. 22: 998, 1952. MedlineGoogle Scholar14. Soffer L: Diseases of the endocrine glands, 1951, Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. Google Scholar15. SpraguePowerMasonAlbertMathiewsonHenchKendallSlocumbPolley RGMHHDADRSECCHHF: Observations on the physiologic effect of cortisone and ACTH in man, Arch. Int. Med. 85: 199, 1950. CrossrefGoogle Scholar16. TaubenhausAmromin MSD: The effects of hypophysis, thyroid, sex steroids and the adrenal cortex upon granulation tissue, J. Lab. and Clin. Med. 56: 7, 1952. Google Scholar17. ThornForshamFrawleyWilsonRenoldFredericksonJenkins GWPHTGDLAEDSD: Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal insufficiency, Am. J. Med. 10: 595, 1951. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar18. ThornDorranceDay GWSSE: Addison's disease—evaluation of synthetic desoxycorticosterone acetate therapy in 158 patients, Ann. Int. Med. 16: 1053, 1946. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: New York, N. Y.*Received for publication June 1, 1954.From the New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Research Unit, Welfare Island, New York, N. Y. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 June 1955Volume 42, Issue 6Page: 1280-1284KeywordsAbdominal painAbdominal surgeryAppendicitisInflammation ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 June 1955 PDF downloadLoading ...