Unbound MEDLINE

Mediastinal Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma and Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon in an Infant: Treatment With Interferon. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology : official journal of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology [J Pediatr Hematol Oncol] Journal article

 
Hartman KR, Moncur JT, Minniti CP, Creamer KM 
Mediastinal Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma and Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon in an Infant: Treatment With Interferon. [JOURNAL ARTICLE]
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2009 Aug 13.


A 2-week-old infant developed respiratory failure due to a mediastinal Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma that was complicated by thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy. Initial surgery was unsuccessful at removing the tumorous infiltration of mediastinal structures. Multiple transfusions with fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and red blood cells were needed for the consumptive coagulopathy, and ventilatory support was required for 5 months. Therapy for the tumor included methylprednisolone, aminocaproic acid, and vincristine, but a sustained response was achieved only after the initiation of alpha interferon. The patient was monitored closely and did not develop neurologic toxicity. This case demonstrates that interferon can be used to treat infants with Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in life-threatening situations that do not respond to other forms of treatment.



More from this journal
  
Advertise on this site.