Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

Rarely, arterial embolization is required to treat life-threatening hemorrhage, high-output cardiac failure, or platelet consumption (Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon) ([17], Fig. 1.3a-c). 

Haisley-Royster CA, Enjolras O, Frieden IJ et al. (2002) Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon a retrospective study of treatment with vincristine. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 24 459-462... 

Drolet BA, Scott LA, Esterly NB et al. (2001) Early surgical intervention in a patient with Kasabach Merritt phenomenon. J Pediatr 138 756-758... 

The indications of embolotherapy in vascular anomalies are (1) hemangiomas refractory to medical treatment, (2) hemangioendotheliomas with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon, (3) liver hemangioma with cardiac failure, and (4) arteriovenous malformations. 

Ten to 20% of hemangiomas need to be treated [11]. Medical treatment is the first choice using steroids, interferon, or vincristine. Embolotherapy is only indicated in cases of ineffective medical treatment. Embolization is mostly performed in cases of hepatic hemangioma with cardiac failure, hemangioendothelioma complicated by Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon, and uncontrolled proliferative hemangioma with functional disorder (e.g. tongue with feeding problem). 

Mueller [12] and Enjolras [13] reported that Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) is caused hy kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) or tufted angioma. The KMP consists of thrombocy-... 

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