Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage

Case contributed by Derrick Chansiongpen
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Known case of difficult delivery with decreased hemoglobin / hematocrit count and early jaundice. Gestational diabetes mellitus was also present. Jaundice was persistent even with phototherapy.

Patient Data

Age: Neonate
Gender: Male

Focussed Rt suprarenal region

ultrasound

An irregular central anechogenicity / hypoechogenicity in the right suprarenal region is appreciated. Medium-level floaters may be seen within the lesion probably from debris / sediments. No significant vascularity or hyperemia is noted on color interrogation. A point of cleavage between this structure and the mildly effaced right kidney is appreciated.

FU study 3 days after previous

ultrasound

Slight interval decrease in the size of the irregular structure with central hypoechogenicity at the right suprarenal area but still with medium-level echo floaters, which may still represent debris/sediments. No vascularity seen on color Doppler application. There is again note of a cleavage/fat plane between this structure and the mildly effaced right kidney.

Case Discussion

The adrenal glands in newborns are relatively large in size (10-20x larger than in adults relative to body weight) and exhibit an increase in vascularity (50-60 arterial branches from 3 suprarenal arteries). Incidence of adrenal hemorrhage most commonly (~70%) occurs on the right side because anatomically, the right adrenal gland is located between the liver and spine and thus, can result in its compression. Moreover, the right adrenal vein drains into the inferior vena cava and its compression can induce venous pressure changes.

The cause of adrenal hemorrhage usually is multifactorial, with mechanical compression as well as changes in venous pressure during delivery thought to be the most likely cause. In hypoxia, hemorrhage occurs from congestion and endothelial damage that occurs when blood is redistributed (increase in pressure) to the central nervous system, heart and adrenal glands. Clinical symptoms of poor feeding, vomiting, persistent jaundice, anemia, and abdominal mass are usually noted with jaundice as the most frequent. Hemolysis from enclosed hemorrhage, in this case, results to jaundice. Adrenal hemorrhage may occur also from asphyxia, shock, septicemia and preexisting hematologic disorders.

Sonographically, its appearance varies depending on its stage. From solid and echogenic in its early phase to mixed echogenicity with central hypoechogenicity as liquefaction occurs. The presence of calcifications can be seen as early as 1-2 weeks after the onset. Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage is usually self-limited with resolution. It becomes anechoic at approximately 2 to 3 months after onset and on rare instances extends to a maximum of 9 months. An Addisonian crisis rarely occurs in neonatal adrenal hemorrhage because hemorrhage is usually subcapsular and adrenal insufficiency does not occur until at least 90% of adrenal tissue is destroyed. Surgery should only be considered mostly in cases where high suspicion of a mass (e.g. neuroblastoma) with positive tumor markers, elevation of the urinary catecholamine metabolites, nuclear scintigraphic findings of increased uptake in the suprarenal region, evidence of metastasis, progression in size and non-resolution / unusual clinical course under conservative treatment.

In this case, the patient was noted to be anemic on blood exams as well as with persistence of jaundice despite adequate phototherapy. In cases of hyperbilirubinemia of unknown etiology, adrenal hemorrhage must be considered. Ultrasonography remains the modality of choice for evaluation of the adrenal glands in neonates.

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