A case of chronic adrenocortical insufficiency with iatrogenic anasarca

The decrease in active hormones that characterizes chronic adrenal insuffic iency results in hypovolemia. In some patients, residual adrenal function, mineralocorticoid therapy, and concomitant heart or liver failure, or both, can paradoxically provoke edema. The case report that follows describes a patient with iatrogenically induced anasarca resulting from the unhappy con fluence of usually appropriate therapy and coexisting medical conditions.