Hemangioma-thrombocytopenia syndrome; a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.
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.
D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications*; D012782:Shoulder; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D013577:Syndrome