Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage Following Femoral Hip Hemiarthroplasty: A Case Report

Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage (BAH) is a rare and potentially fatal complication following total hip arthroplasty and low-molecule heparin use for DVT-prophylaxis. We present a case of a 64-year-old woman who sustained a femoral neck fracture, which was addressed with hip hemiarthroplasty. Twelve days postoperatively DVT was diagnosed and therapeutic doses of low-molecule-heparin were administered. The next day, CTPA was done searching for pulmonary embolism but BAH was shown and a short synacthen test confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. A therapeutic protocol with hydrocortisone was followed.