Kasabach-Merritt-like phenomenon in a massive uterine leiomyoma presenting with chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation: A case report

Abstract

Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon is a process where the presence of vascular irregularity within a Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma or tufted angioma leads to constitutive coagulation factor activation and the development of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A similar phenomenon has been seen in other tumors but has rarely been described. A 42-year-old woman presented to the hospital following the development of worsening easy bruising and bleeding. She was ultimately found to have a massive uterine fibroid that led to constitutive coagulation cascade activation and subsequent chronic DIC. Following resection, she had complete resolution of DIC and made a full recovery. Although rare, the development of unexplained chronic DIC in a woman should prompt evaluation for the presence of massive uterine fibroids.

Keywords

• Uterine leiomyoma
• Chronic DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Coagulopathy
• Fibroid