title: Vincristine for the treatment of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: recent New Zealand case experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a case series showing efficacious use of vincristine in treating Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The case notes of four children treated for KMS by the authors with corticosteroids and vincristine were reviewed. Specific attention was paid to the efficacy and adverse effects of each therapeutic agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age of presentation ranged from birth to 11 months. Initial treatment with high dose corticosteroids was uniformly ineffective, and in 2 cases, prolonged use caused significant side-effects. Subsequent or concurrent treatment with vincristine was effective and well-tolerated, with no discernable side effects. The only complications were line-related.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is rare, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. No definitive treatment regime has been established, but the authors suggest that vincristine should be considered a first-line agent, and that the use of systemic corticosteroids should not be routine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch. Kimberley.Thomson@cdhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Kimberley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinnock
authors.forename: Lochie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Teague
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manikkam
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manikkan
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014750:Vincristine