Massive Hemorrhage into an Adrenal Pheochromocytoma

IRREVERSIBLE shock and sudden death due to massive unilateral adrenal hemorrhage without sepsis is a unique, often unrecognized syndrome, death usually being ascribed to some other catastrophic illness. The following case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties that may be encountered.Case ReportD.P., a 50-year-old woman, awakened suddenly at 2 a.m. on June 10, 1955, complaining of a severe, localized pain in the right lumbar region associated with nausea, vomiting and extreme weakness. She had gone to sleep at 11 p.m., apparently in good health. Her husband stated that she had always been well; the menopause had occurred at the age . . .