Consumptive coagulopathy complicating juvenile angiofibroma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of deranged clotting results among patients with juvenile (nasopharyngeal) angiofibroma.


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients treated for juvenile angiofibroma between March 1998 and July 2002 in whom preoperative coagulation tests were performed were selected. Results were compared with normal laboratory values, and clinical and histological records were retrospectively analysed.


RESULTS
Four out of 20 patients were found to have abnormal tests, consistent with concurrent consumptive coagulopathies. One patient was found to have a raised D-dimer level. This resolved following removal of the lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between larger arterio-venous malformations and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy is well described (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome). Our findings suggest that low-grade consumptive coagulopathies may also complicate smaller juvenile angiofibromas, implying that preoperative coagulation screening tests may have a role in ensuring optimal perioperative haemostasis.
Baguley
Campbell
C
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK.
Sandhu
Guri
G
O'Donnell
James
J
Howard
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018322:Angiofibroma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002648:Child; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed