Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is characterized by the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) usually caused by benign angiomatous tumours. Here we report the case of a 70-year-old man in whom DIC revealed a locally advanced hepatic tumour. Although DIC resolved with heparin, antithrombin III, fresh frozen plasma and corticosteroids, the patient died from haemoperitoneum following a fall, 3 months after the initial observation. Histopathological examination by autopsy allowed the diagnosis of hepatic angiosarcoma. The physiopathogenic mechanisms and treatment options are discussed.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune dermatosis that may evolve to severely compromise the skin and/or mucosa. Autoantibodies directed against epithelial cadherins, such as desmogleins 1 and 3, lead to acantholysis and culminate in blister formation. Involvement of the oral mucosa is common, but other squamous stratified epithelia may also be the target of the autoimmune aggression. We report a woman with PV that was in partial remission, who developed an unusual acute phenomenon, known as oesophagitis dissecans superficialis.