Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome involves adrenal haemorrhage due to severe sepsis, commonly caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It leads to hypotensive shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and adrenal insufficiency. Potential causative factors include bacterial seeding of adrenal vessels, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or endothelial dysfunction. Bilateral adrenal haemorrhages can occur, resulting in adrenal failure. Patients exhibit rapid septic shock, a widespread purpuric skin rash, and adrenal crisis.
The Adrenal Haemorrhage (Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome) Model shows the kidney and adrenal gland, presented together to show cut surfaces, exhibiting significant bleeding in the adrenal medulla with blood leakage into the surrounding fat. This illustrates adrenal haemorrhage associated with severe septic shock, commonly referred to as 'Waterhouse-Friderichsen' syndrome.
