International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Mar 2001
Case ReportsAcute adrenocortical crisis: three different presentations.
The adrenal cortex normally produces three principal steroid hormones: the glucocorticoid cortisol, the mineralocorticoid aldosterone, and a small quantity of sex steroids. In primary adrenocortical insufficiency, there is a deficiency of both cortisol and aldosterone with characteristic clinical and laboratory findings. ⋯ Acute adrenocortical crisis is an absolute medical emergency and its presentation is not always typical. We describe three recent cases of acute adrenocortical crisis in our hospital who presented in three different ways in three different wards.