Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (also known as purpura fulminans 9 or hemorrhagic adrenalitis 10) is characterized by adrenal insufficiency that results from atraumatic adrenal hemorrhage in consequence of septicaemia.
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is due to septicaemia and common infective agents include 5:
- meningococcus: traditionally described cause
- Haemophilus influenzae
-
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Escherichia coli
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
Imaging features are often that of non-traumatic adrenal hemorrhage. The correct clinical context is vital in image interpretation.
History and etymology
It is named after Rupert Waterhouse, English physician (1873-1958) 8, and Carl Friderichsen, Danish pediatrician (20th century) 2. The latter reported his first 30 cases in 1918 10, writing a follow-up article in 1955 detailing another 250 cases! 11.
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