Hemangioma-thrombocytopenia syndrome; a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
Lang, P.G.; Dubin, H.V.
Archives of Dermatology 111(1): 105-107
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-987X PMID: 1168040 Document Number: 85583
A patient who had multiple hemangiomas and for whom results of coagulation studies were consistent with hemangioma-thrombocytopenia (Kasabach-Merritt) syndrome and a microangiopathic hemolytic process was asymptomatic prior to surgical removal of a lipoma. Postoperatively, she developed bleeding secondary to a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Her bleeding was controlled by anticoagulation therapy. A review of the literature provides evidence suggesting that the hemangioma-thrombocytopenia syndrome is due to a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy initiated within the hemangioma. Surgical trauma may precipitate exacerbations of the coagulopathy in these patients and all unnecessary surgical procedures should be avoided.