[Biermer's disease and venous thrombosis. Report of two cases] La Revue de médecine interne / fondée ... par la Société nationale francaise de médecine interne. [Rev Med Interne] Journal article

INTRODUCTION: The main issue in venous thrombotic events is their etiology. Several clinical and/or biological data can be helpful in that research. In the two cases we report here, a macrocytic anemia led to the diagnosis of probably acquired hyperhomocysteinemia.
EXEGESIS: First case: a 24-year-old man was admitted for severe anemia and a superior vena cava syndrome. Biological data showed megaloblastic anemia and mild features of blood destruction that were explained by a pernicious anemia. Second case: a 35-year-old man had two deep venous thrombotic events in one year (involving the right leg, then the left leg); biological findings showed a macrocytic mild anemia that was diagnosed as a pernicious anemia. In both of the patients, deep venous thrombosis was mainly explained by a hyperhomocysteinemia that was a consequence of vitamin B12 deficiency. The two patients improved under anticoagulant treatment combined with subcutaneous vitamin B12.
CONCLUSION: Pernicious anemia can cause acquired hyperhomocysteinemia, which is considered a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis. Thus, the connectivity of these conditions should remain in the practitioner's mind, especially when thrombosis occurs along with a macrocytic anemia.

La Revue de médecine interne / fondée ... par la Société nationale francaise de médecine interne. [Rev Med Interne]

Adult
Anemia, Pernicious
English Abstract
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia
Injections, Subcutaneous
Male
Risk Factors
Venous Thrombosis
Vitamin B 12