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Primary adrenocortical insufficiency is a rare disease which may present with protean clinical symptoms and signs. At one end of the spectrum is the patient with a long clinical history with marked pigmentation and documented episodes of crises which may follow relatively minor viral illnesses. The other extreme is illustrated by patients with a rapid deterioration in health culminating in unexpected or unexplained death. In the latter instances, the forensic pathologist may well be involved, and the case will present a significant challenge to diagnosis. We report 5 cases of primary and secondary adrenocortical insufficiency seen at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine in 1 year. One adult man presented as a case of sudden unexplained death. In 2 cases, the diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency was raised following postmortem examination and confirmed by the treating physician following further consultation. In the remaining 2 cases, the diagnosis was known prior to postmortem examination and the diagnosis confirmed.
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
January 1958,
Vie medicale (Paris, France : 1920),
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
November 1985,
Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism,
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
July 1993,
BMJ (Clinical research ed.),
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
May 2012,
JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants,
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
February 1960,
La Revue du praticien,
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
March 1970,
Saishin igaku. Modern medicine,
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
January 2002,
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania),
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
January 1993,
Ryoikibetsu shokogun shirizu,
M P Burke, and
K Opeskin
January 1959,
La Presse medicale,
