Development of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome following needle aspiration of a hemangioma.

A case of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome that developed following needle aspiration in an infant with hemangioma is presented. Enlargement of the tumor leading to severe respiratory distress accompanied by hemorrhages occurred within six to eight hours after this simple intervention. The symptoms continued despite repeated thrombocyte transfusions and prednisolone therapy. Radiotherapy and local intraarterial corticosteroid therapy were attempted and led to some improvement. It took approximately three months for the platelet count and one year for the clinical state to revert to normal. This case illustrates that minor trauma may lead to life-threatening symptoms in a young infant with congenital hemangioma.