A case of thymoma-associated autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.
A 50-year-old female presented with severe Coombs-positive haemolytic anaemia. Chest roentgenogram revealed a right-sided paracardial mass in the anterior mediastinum that was proven to be a thymoma. The patient was treated with oral prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) and subsequent thymectomy. Haemolysis did not return although the direct Coombs test remained weakly positive. In reviewing the literature 15 additional cases of thymoma-associated autoimmune haemolytic anaemia were identified.
Rennenberg
R J
RJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Diaconessenhuis, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Pauwels
P
P
Vlasveld
L T
LT
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003298:Coombs Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D011241:Prednisone