BACKGROUND: An acute abdomen can have a variety of causes. A commonly missed cause of abdominal pain is direct substance abuse and its sequelae. The use of methamphetamine is rising in the United States resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. There has been no reported case of methamphetamine-induced adrenal infarction based on an extensive review of available literature.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 34-year-old Hispanic man who presented with acute abdominal pain secondary to adrenal infarction in the setting of methamphetamine use. Left paraumbilical tenderness was present on abdominal examination. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed internal hypoenhancement of the left adrenal gland, consistent with acute left adrenal infarction. The patient was managed with enoxaparin and apixaban.

CONCLUSION: Substance abuse, especially among young patients, can at times present with acute abdomen. This mandates physicians to be vigilant and take into consideration the history of substance abuse and relevant investigations. Timely diagnosis and management can prevent life-threatening complications.