Acute spontaneous non-hemorrhagic adrenal infarction with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Adrenal infarction (AI) is a rare type of adrenal damage, which is relatively common in systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) and pregnancy. The diagnosis of AI is mainly by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, but is easily confused with other adrenal disease. Hence, this report details a condition of AI with systemic lupus erythematosus, APS and made a differential diagnosis from imaging. Patient concerns: We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with pain in her fossa axillaries and inguinal regions. Then CT scan disclosed bilateral adrenal diseases, and the patient was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, APS and AI after additional autoimmune examinations. Diagnoses: The patient was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus with lupus nephritis, hematological damage and oromeningitis, APS, AI and secondary blood coagulation disorders. Interventions: The patient was treated with methylprednisolone, hydroxychloroquine and low molecular heparin. Outcomes: The patient relieves and remains well 1 year after treatment. Lessons subsections: AI can be divided hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic, with bilateral lesions more common. In our case, the AI was bilateral, partially involved and non-hemorrhagic, and the “cutoff sign” was first put forward in CT, which might assist the diagnosis.