Adrenal Hemorrhage: A Comprehensive Analysis of a Heterogeneous Entity-Etiology, Presentation, Management, and Outcomes

Objective: To investigate the etiology, presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with adrenal hemorrhage (AH).

Patients and methods: Longitudinal study of consecutive adult patients with radiologically confirmed AH (January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021).

Results: Of the 363 patients with AH (median age, 62 years [interquartile range (IQR, 52-70 years]; 128 women [35%]), 338 (93%) had unilateral AH and 25 (7%) had bilateral AH. It was discovered incidentally in 152 patients (42%) and during the evaluation of trauma in 103 (28%), abdominal/back pain in 90 (25%), critical illness in 13 (4%), and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency in 5 (1%). Etiologies included postoperative complications in 150 patients (41%), trauma in 107 (30%), coagulopathy in 22 (6%), anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy in 39 (11%), adrenal neoplasm in 22 (6%), and sepsis in 11, (3%). Overall, 165 patients (46%) were hospitalized, and no deaths occurred due to AH. Median (IQR) baseline AH size was 34 mm (24-40 mm) on the right and 29 mm (22-37 mm) on the left. Among 246 patients with follow-up imaging, AH resolution was complete in 155 (63%) and incomplete in 74 (30%) at a median of 15 months (IQR, 6-31 months). Patients with bilateral AH were more likely to have underlying coagulopathy (44% vs 3%) and to develop primary adrenal insufficiency (72% vs 0%) than those with unilateral AH (P<.001).

Conclusion: Often, AH presents as an incidental unilateral lesion with normal adrenal function, commonly attributed to postoperative complications or trauma. In contrast, bilateral AH is rare and typically linked to underlying coagulopathy, with primary adrenal insufficiency developing in most patients.