Journal List > J Korean Soc Endocrinol > v.20(1) > 1063839

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Kim, Koo, Lee, Lee, Kwak, Cho, Choi, Cho, and Kim: A Case of Protein-losing Enteropathy with an Abnormal Cortisol Response to ACTH Stimulation
Case Report
Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology

Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology 2005; 20(1): 90-95.

Published online: 20 February 2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2005.20.1.90

A Case of Protein-losing Enteropathy with an Abnormal Cortisol Response to ACTH Stimulation

Hong Il Kim, Bo Kyeong Koo, You Jin Lee, Eun Jung Lee, Soo Heon Kwak, Sun Wook Cho, Hyung Jin Choi, Young Min Cho, Seong Yeon Kim

Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Received 9 December 2004       Accepted 31 January 2005

Copyright © 2005 Korean Endocrine Society

Abstract

We hereby report a case of a 62-year-old male patient who was misdiagnosed with adrenal insufficiency during the course of protein-losing enteropathy caused by superior mesenteric arterial thrombosis. The patient was suspected to have adrenal insufficiency due to hyponatremia and severe weakness. The cortisol responses to the initial challenge of 250 µg ACTH were inadequate (maximum serum cortisol level after ACTH challenge was 10.9 µg/dL), while the serum albumin concentration was 1.9 g/dL. Subsequently, intravenous steroid therapy was given to the patient. However, after bowel resection, the serum albumin level increased to 3.4g/dL and the cortisol response to the follow-up rapid ACTH stimulation was completely normal. Accordingly, we discontinued steroid replacement and discharged the patient without any problem. In conclusion, measuring total serum cortisol in a patient with hypo-pro-teinemia may lead to misdiagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. In such cases, caution should be exercised in interpreting the results in terms of total serum cortisol level or measurement of serum free cortisol levels should be considered.

Keywords: Protein-losing enteropathy, Adrenal insufficiency, Serum free cortisol

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Computed tomography of abdomen. Appearance of both adrenal glands was normal.
jkse-20-90-g001
Fig. 2
Gross finding of resected bowel. Mucosal folds were lost in the small intestine 10~40 cm from proximal resection margin. Neither hemorrhage nor necrosis were found in the mucosal surface.
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Table 1
The Results of Rapid ACTH Stimulation Test
jkse-20-90-i001

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