Acute unilateral adrenal hemorrhage following ACTH administration in a patient with Cushing's syndrome.

A patient with Cushing's syndrome and a concomitant unilateral adrenal hemorrhage following ACTH administration is described. Although stress is commonly associated with the onset of adrenal hemorrhage, a pathologically documented adrenal hemorrhage has not been previously in association with ACTH administration in Cushing's syndrome. Repeated doses of ACTH should not be given to patients with Cushing's syndrome as this has little diagnostic value and may lead to adrenal hemorrhage in such patients.