ABSTRACT
The adrenal cortex produces steroids of three different types: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and steroidal sex hormones. The adrenal medulla produces the catecholamines adrenaline (aka epinephrine) and noradrenaline (aka norepinephrine). In the case of adrenal injury, failure of production or secretion of the glucocorticosteroid cortisol bears the most serious consequences (1-3). Hypocorticism is a rather rare disease and is, therefore, more difficult to diagnose. The absence of hydrocortisone in the critically ill patient can have catastrophic consequences (4).
