Данный клинический случай наглядно демонстрирует трудности и особенности диагностики первичной надпочечниковой недостаточности при атипичном течении в условиях современной клинической практики в Республике Беларусь.
Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex, as the most common cause of Addison’s disease, can progress slowly, over several months and even years. The first clinical signs are often nonspecific, which is associated with delayed diagnosis and may result in the development of a life-threatening condition - adrenal crisis. The described clinical case is of interest because it presents a young patient who, despite exhibiting classical clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency (weakness, fatigue, dizziness, decreased blood pressure – 90/50 mm Hg, salt craving, hyperpigmentation) had hypercortisolemia with subsequent cortisol levels within the reference range. Additionally, high ACTH levels in the absence of manifestations of hypercortisolism, “borderline high” levels of serum potassium, and no abnormalities in imaging tests (MRI of the pituitary gland, CT angiography of the chest, abdominal cavity, and retroperitoneal space) increased clinical suspicion of the presence of primary adrenal insufficiency. Upon initiating glucocorticoid replacement therapy, a positive clinical response was obtained (improvement of general well-being, normalization of blood pressure and electrolyte levels).
This clinical case clearly demonstrates the difficulties and peculiarities of diagnosing
primary adrenal insufficiency with an atypical presentation in modern clinical practice
in the Republic of Belarus.
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