title: Spontaneous hemomediastinum complicating steroid-induced mediastinal lipomatosis.
abstract: Spontaneous hemomediastinum is a rare event, occurring in association with bleeding disorders, intratumoral bleeding, or following an abrupt increase in intrathoracic pressure. We report the case of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure, in whom mediastinal lipomatosis (ML) developed following increased corticosteroid therapy. Anticoagulant therapy likely precipitated a massive spontaneous hemomediastinum secondary to diffuse hemorrhage of mediastinal fat, which required emergency decompressive surgery. Steroid-induced ML is common and usually well tolerated, but clinicians should be aware of its potential risk of bleeding when associated with anticoagulant therapy. This case further emphasizes the bleeding complications of treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin in patients with renal failure.
authors.affiliation: Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taillé
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartoukh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Houël
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobeiter
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rémy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lemaire
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008068:Lipomatosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D011241:Prednisone