Partial splenic embolization in myelodysplastic syndrome associated with immune thrombocytopenia.
BACKGROUND
Currently, all treatments for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are still experimental. Supportive care, including treatment of infection and transfusion of blood and blood-related products, remains the most important aspect of therapy in these cases. This article discusses the results of partial splenic embolization in a patient who had MDS with refractory anemia.


METHODS
The patient was placed under observation and was given supportive treatment. In addition to MDS with refractory anemia, there were management difficulties related to severe thrombocytopenia after alloimmunization from multiple blood transfusions. Therefore it is thought that partial splenic embolization might be an alternative treatment for the management thrombocytopenia.


RESULTS
Although the patient did not live long because of the sepsis and ileus, hematologic response was obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
The observation during the treatment in this case suggests that partial splenic embolization may be a valid new alternative for treating thrombocytopenia due to alloimmunization.
Ozdogu
Hakan
H
Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey.
Boga
Can
C
Oğuzkurt
Levent
L
Kizilkilic
Ebru
E
D000368:Aged; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*