Refractory postoperative hypotension as a manifestation of glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency.

Corticosteroids are well-known for causing adrenal insufficiency when taken daily over prolonged periods and carry the risk of life-threatening adrenal crises when stopped or not adequately increased with stress. This case demonstrates that weekly steroid pulses as part of chemotherapy regimens also carry a risk of adrenal suppression and may become apparent following times of significant physiological stress, such as perioperatively. Furthermore, adrenal function may recover with time following discontinuation of corticosteroids; however, the length of time and extent of recovery vary between patients.