Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

Abstract

An association between a vascular lesion and a life threatening coagulopathy is called Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon KMP. It includes thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. We cannot overstate the need for excellent and careful screening. Treatment modalities of KMP have included medication, radiation, embolization and surgery. Corticosteroids have traditionally been the mainstay of treatment. We report a 4-month-old girl with an extensive vascular lesion involving the left parotid, submandibular, and parapharyngeal regions, and with KMP. We treated her with a mega dose of corticosteroids. Her coagulopathy resolved, and her vascular lesion improved.