Cryptogenic adrenal infarction: a rare case of unilateral adrenal infarction in a pregnant woman

Abstract

Adrenal infarction is a rare event, especially in pregnancy. The diagnosis is challenging because patients present with acute abdomen and initial workup are usually unrevealing. We present a case of unilateral adrenal infarction in a pregnant young woman without any other causes of thrombophilia, who presented with acute abdominal pain and an unremarkable initial workup. MRI and contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed a non-haemorrhagic infarct of the right adrenal gland. Our case highlights the importance of considering this rare diagnosis in the differential for a pregnant woman with acute abdomen without any obvious surgical cause.

Keywords: adrenal disorders; haematology (incl blood transfusion); pregnancy; radiology.