Successful low-dose radiotherapy treatment for Kasabach-Merritt syndrome

Shohei Yamamoto; Kosuke Akiyama; Ryota Kaneko; Mayumi Hayashi; Daisuke Toyama; Keiichi Isoyama

doi:10.1111/ped.13083

Successful low-dose radiotherapy treatment for Kasabach-Merritt syndrome

Pediatr Int. 2016 Oct;58(10):1084-1086. doi: 10.1111/ped.13083.

Authors

Shohei Yamamoto¹, Kosuke Akiyama², Ryota Kaneko², Mayumi Hayashi², Daisuke Toyama², Keiichi Isoyama²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan. shohei-y@med.showa-u.ac.jp.
² Department of Pediatrics, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

PMID: 27804244
DOI: 10.1111/ped.13083

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Kasabach-Merritt syndrome; late effect; low-dose radiotherapy.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Humans
Infant, Newborn
Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / diagnosis
Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / radiotherapy*
Male
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / methods*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed