Spontaneous bilateral adrenal hemorrhage due to anticoagulation?

Authors

  • Lorena Salmerón Godoy Department of Internal Medicine, Infanta Sofía University Hospital, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1360-5303
  • Arturo Muñoz Blanco 1Department of Internal Medicine, Infanta Sofía University Hospital, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain
  • Isabel Perales Fraile 1Department of Internal Medicine, Infanta Sofía University Hospital, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain
  • Juan Salmerón Godoy Department of Internal Medicine, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  • Coral Arévalo Cañas Department of Internal Medicine, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32818/reccmi.a10n3a10

Keywords:

bilateral adrenal haemorrhage, oral anticoagulants, large vessel vasculitis

Abstract

A 83-year-old male with cardiovascular risk factors, hypothyroidism, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroid-dependent bullous pemphigoid, and atrial fibrillation anticoagulated with rivaroxaban was admitted with abdominal pain. An abdominal MRI revealed bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. Anticoagulation was discontinued with a favourable outcome, and after three months, based on a risk-benefit assessment, a new anticoagulant was reintroduced. A follow-up CT scan showed findings suggestive of large vessel vasculitis, which were confirmed by PET, vascular ultrasound, and temporal artery biopsy. This is a relevant case due to the low prevalence of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage and the difficulty in determining its etiology.

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Author Biography

Lorena Salmerón Godoy, Department of Internal Medicine, Infanta Sofía University Hospital, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain

MIR de cuarto año de Medicina interna en el Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre

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Published

2025-12-23

How to Cite

1.
Salmerón Godoy L, Muñoz Blanco A, Perales Fraile I, Salmerón Godoy J, Arévalo Cañas C. Spontaneous bilateral adrenal hemorrhage due to anticoagulation? . Rev Esp Casos Clin Med Intern [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 23 [cited 2026 Jan. 1];10(3):129-31. Available from: https://www.reccmi.com/RECCMI/article/view/1210