Acute Abdomen and Adrenal Swelling as the First Manifestations of TAFRO Syndrome

Intern Med. 2023 Jun 1;62(11):1675-1681. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.0267-22. Epub 2022 Sep 6.

Abstract

TAFRO syndrome, a rare systemic inflammatory disorder, commonly develops in an acute or subacute manner, with an aggressive clinical behavior. A substantial number of cases of TAFRO syndrome presenting with abdominal pain, and adrenal abnormalities on imaging have also been reported. A 54-year-old man developed severe acute abdominal pain. Bilateral adrenal swelling was detected on computed tomography. Although the abdominal pain resolved spontaneously, a fever and anasarca were observed. The patient was eventually diagnosed with TAFRO syndrome, and corticosteroid administration resulted in remission. TAFRO syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen and adrenal abnormalities.

Keywords: TAFRO syndrome; acute abdomen; adrenal abnormality; corticosteroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute* / etiology
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Castleman Disease* / diagnosis
  • Edema / diagnosis
  • Edema / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Supplementary concepts

  • Multi-centric Castleman's Disease