RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and ovarian dermoid cysts in pregnancy
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 397
OP 400
DO 10.15537/smj.2019.4.24l07
VO 40
IS 4
A1 Afaf A. Felemban
A1 Zuha A. Rashidi
A1 Musab H. Almatrafi
A1 Jawaher A. Alsahabi
YR 2019
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/40/4/397.abstract
AB Ovarian teratoma is a rare cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) by warm antibodies, resistant to corticosteroid therapy. This also implies that ovarian teratoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of AIHA, whether or not associated with pregnancy. We present a case of a primigravida who presented with ovarian dermoid cysts and AIHA at 24 weeks of gestation. The patient received corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and multiple blood transfusions, with no significant improvement. Hemoglobin levels returned to normal only after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by dermoid cyst is a rare condition especially in pregnancy. However, in light of similar case reports and review of the existing literature, we conclude that surgical excision should be considered when AIHA and ovarian teratoma coexist.