ADRENAL HORMONE THERAPY IN VIRAL HEPATITIS. III. THE EFFECT OF ACTH AND CORTISONE IN SEVERE AND FULMINANT CASES

Abstract

ACTH and/or cortisone was used in the treatment of 11 cases of viral hepatitis, 5 of whom were moderately to severely ill and 6 of whom had a fulminant course with coma. In the 1st group, hormone therapy was associated with symptomatic control and a drop in serum bilirubin, but in 3 of the 5 cases relapses of both major and minor severity occurred, and multiple relapses were observed in the same patient. In the 2d group all 6 cases died, and no significant benefits of hormonal therapy were seen.