Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report

Hypophosphatemia is an unusual cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We describe a hypophosphatemia-related ARDS case report of a 50-year-old woman with ACTH dependent Cushing's syndrome secondary to ectopic CRH production. The patient clinically showed hypotension tachypnea and...

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Main Authors: Stefania Mondello, Vincenzo Fodale, Salvatore Cannav, Carmela Aloisi, Barbara Almoto, Michele Buemi, Letterio B. Santamaria
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2008-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2008.20
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author Stefania Mondello
Vincenzo Fodale
Salvatore Cannav
Carmela Aloisi
Barbara Almoto
Michele Buemi
Letterio B. Santamaria
author_facet Stefania Mondello
Vincenzo Fodale
Salvatore Cannav
Carmela Aloisi
Barbara Almoto
Michele Buemi
Letterio B. Santamaria
author_sort Stefania Mondello
collection DOAJ
description Hypophosphatemia is an unusual cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We describe a hypophosphatemia-related ARDS case report of a 50-year-old woman with ACTH dependent Cushing's syndrome secondary to ectopic CRH production. The patient clinically showed hypotension tachypnea and increasing dyspnea. Laboratory data showed carbohydrate intolerance, severe hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia. Arterial blood gases measurement revealed hypocapnia and elevation in bicarbonate values. Chest X-ray showed diffuse bilateral alveolar infiltrates similar to acute pulmonary edema and Kerley's striae. Chest CT scan evidenced diffuse ground glass opacification, bilateral patchy consolidation, and fibrosis, compatible with the recovery phase of ARDS. Clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations supported the diagnosis of ARDS. The patient was managed with supplemental potassium, octreotide, and oxygen therapy. Hypophosphatemia was managed by treating the underlying disorder. Successive surgical removal of the adrenal gland led to complete resolution of Cushing's syndrome. In conclusion, although rare and associated with specific risk factors, hypophosphatemia should be suspected in patients who develop unexplained ARDS.
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issn 1537-744X
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spelling doaj-art-dd1ebfc62b1141178a6cfbea9994d8922025-08-20T02:21:33ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2008-01-01813814410.1100/tsw.2008.20Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case ReportStefania Mondello0Vincenzo Fodale1Salvatore Cannav2Carmela Aloisi3Barbara Almoto4Michele Buemi5Letterio B. Santamaria6Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Psychiatric and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Psychiatric and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Messina, School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G.Martino”, 98125 Messina, ItalyHypophosphatemia is an unusual cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We describe a hypophosphatemia-related ARDS case report of a 50-year-old woman with ACTH dependent Cushing's syndrome secondary to ectopic CRH production. The patient clinically showed hypotension tachypnea and increasing dyspnea. Laboratory data showed carbohydrate intolerance, severe hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia. Arterial blood gases measurement revealed hypocapnia and elevation in bicarbonate values. Chest X-ray showed diffuse bilateral alveolar infiltrates similar to acute pulmonary edema and Kerley's striae. Chest CT scan evidenced diffuse ground glass opacification, bilateral patchy consolidation, and fibrosis, compatible with the recovery phase of ARDS. Clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations supported the diagnosis of ARDS. The patient was managed with supplemental potassium, octreotide, and oxygen therapy. Hypophosphatemia was managed by treating the underlying disorder. Successive surgical removal of the adrenal gland led to complete resolution of Cushing's syndrome. In conclusion, although rare and associated with specific risk factors, hypophosphatemia should be suspected in patients who develop unexplained ARDS.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2008.20
spellingShingle Stefania Mondello
Vincenzo Fodale
Salvatore Cannav
Carmela Aloisi
Barbara Almoto
Michele Buemi
Letterio B. Santamaria
Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report
The Scientific World Journal
title Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report
title_full Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report
title_fullStr Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report
title_short Hypophosphatemia as Unusual Cause of ARDS in Cushing’s Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic CRH Production. A Case Report
title_sort hypophosphatemia as unusual cause of ards in cushing s syndrome secondary to ectopic crh production a case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2008.20
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