Acute adrenocortical insufficiency [Addison's disease]: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Acute adrenocortical insufficiency [Addisonian crisis] is an emergency caused by insufficient cortisol and can manifest as a defect anywhere in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It may be misdiagnosed as acute renal dysfunction due to similar clinical manifestations and laboratory findings. The causes, clinical features and management of Addison's disease are discussed in this review