Endometrial ablation in a woman with a persistent uterine hemorrhage due to acute promyelocytic leukemia: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Life-threatening uterine hemorrhage can be a presenting symptom in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML), of which one of the complications is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.


METHODS
A 44-year-old, previously healthy woman, gravida 3, para 3, presented with a life-threatening uterine hemorrhage. She was subsequently diagnosed with APML by bone marrow biopsy. The uterine hemorrhage was treated with hormonal therapy and uterine artery embolization (UAE), which failed to control the bleeding. Radiofrequency, impedance-controlled endometrial ablation was successfully utilized.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial ablation can be used to effectively treat a life-threatening uterine hemorrhage in patients with APML after failed medical therapy and UAE.
Alperin
Marianna
M
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, ASB1-3-078, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. manusha30@yahoo.com
Quaas
Alexander
A
Johnson
Natasha R
NR
Hornstein
Mark D
MD
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*