Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology  2010;17(1):116-122

A Case of Intestinal Hemangioma Complicated with Thrombocytopenia (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome) in Premature Infant.

Young Jin LEE 1 ; Sul Hee BAE ; Eun Song SONG ; Soo Jin CHOI ; Yoon Ha KIM ; Young Youn CHOI

Affiliations

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Keywords

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome; Thrombocytopenia; Intestinal hemangioma; Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare thrombocytopenic consumptive coagulopathy associated with a giant hemangioma. We experienced a case of unexplained ascites with thrombocytopenia in a 32 week premature infant. An exploratory laparotomy was performed to determine the cause of the refractory ascites and thrombocytopenia. An intestinal hemangioma was found, but, surgical removal was not performed due to the extensive involvement. Hemangioma was confirmed by SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) and the thrombocytopenia was treated with steroid therapy. It is recommended that hemangioma of the visceral organs should be suspected when unexplained thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy persist.