Successful low-dose radiotherapy treatment for Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.
Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS) is characterized by hemangioma associated with life-threatening thrombocytopenia, and is a consumptive coagulopathy. Although treatments available include corticosteroids, α-interferon, vincristine, and surgery, response may be unsatisfactory, and the mortality rate remains at approximately 30%. Although radiotherapy has been used effectively for KMS, it may cause growth retardation and secondary malignancy. We report a case of KMS in which hemangioma of the left thigh was successfully treated with low-dose radiotherapy (6 Gy in six fractions, weekly) after failure of corticosteroid therapy. No significant late effects due to the radiotherapy were noted at 5 year follow up. Thus, low-dose radiotherapy remains an important treatment method for KMS when patients fail to respond to other treatments.
Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan. shohei-y@med.showa-u.ac.jp.
Shohei
S
Yamamoto
Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Kosuke
K
Akiyama
Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Ryota
R
Kaneko
Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Mayumi
M
Hayashi
Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Daisuke
D
Toyama
Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Keiichi
K
Isoyama
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D059885:Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Kasabach-Merritt syndrome; late effect; low-dose radiotherapy