Abstract
A 2-week-old infant developed respiratory failure due to a mediastinal Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma that was complicated by thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy. Initial surgery was unsuccessful at removing the tumorous infiltration of mediastinal structures. Multiple transfusions with fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and red blood cells were needed for the consumptive coagulopathy, and ventilatory support was required for 5 months. Therapy for the tumor included methylprednisolone, aminocaproic acid, and vincristine, but a sustained response was achieved only after the initiation of alpha interferon. The patient was monitored closely and did not develop neurologic toxicity. This case demonstrates that interferon can be used to treat infants with Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in life-threatening situations that do not respond to other forms of treatment.
MeSH terms
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Aminocaproates / administration & dosage
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Anemia, Hemolytic / etiology*
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Anemia, Hemolytic / therapy
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
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Blood Component Transfusion
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / etiology*
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Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / therapy
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Female
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Hemangioendothelioma / complications*
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Hemangioendothelioma / drug therapy
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Hemangioendothelioma / surgery
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Humans
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Infant, Newborn
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
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Mediastinal Neoplasms / complications*
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Mediastinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Mediastinal Neoplasms / surgery
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Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
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Plasma
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Respiration, Artificial
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Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology*
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Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy
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Syndrome
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Thoracotomy
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Thrombocytopenia / etiology*
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Thrombocytopenia / therapy
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Thymectomy
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Vincristine / administration & dosage
Substances
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Aminocaproates
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Interferon-alpha
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Vincristine
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Methylprednisolone