Intestinal obstruction due to kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in a 1-month-old infant: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Sep;96(37):e6974. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000006974.

Abstract

Rationale: Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is an aggressive vascular tumor, mainly occurring in infants and young children and previously reported cases were mainly cutaneous or visceral form. Intestinal kaposiform hemangioma was first reported in 2012. Intestinal type KHE showed better prognosis if the lesion was limited in the gastrointestinal tract and coagulopathy was not accompanied. Since the number of reported cases is small, further study for treatment options and prognosis need to be done.

Patient concerns: We described the case of a 1-month-old female who had abdominal distention and bilious vomiting.

Diagnoses: She was suspected as intestinal obstruction after diagnostic work up.

Interventions: Surgical exploration was performed and jejunal obstruction with a mass was identified. Small bowel segmental resection and anastomosis was performed.

Outcomes: The patient discharged with symptom free. Through the pathological examination, the mass was identified as intestinal type KHE.

Lessons: Intestinal KHE can cause bowel obstruction and be managed successfully with complete surgical resection. More cases should be reported and further evaluation for treatment options and prognosis evaluation is necessary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hemangioendothelioma / complications*
  • Hemangioendothelioma / diagnosis
  • Hemangioendothelioma / pathology
  • Hemangioendothelioma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intestinal Obstruction / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology*
  • Intestinal Obstruction / pathology
  • Intestinal Obstruction / surgery*
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / complications*
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / pathology
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / surgery*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / complications*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / diagnosis
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / surgery*

Supplementary concepts

  • Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma